www.thetopzones.co.uk

<p>There’s one house in <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-guide/los-angeles" target="_blank">Los Angeles</a> that probably has more ties to Hollywood history than any other. And it just went up for sale.</p><p>According to <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/taylorboozan/2019/07/09/marilyn-monroes-old-hideaway-lists-for-115-million-in-los-angeles-most-exclusive-neighborhood/#28012100695b" target="_blank">Forbes</a>, the iconic Owlwood Estate, nestled between Beverly Hills and Bel Air in Los Angeles, is officially on the market for $115 million. The historic house has ties to several of the most famous celebrities ever, including Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Cher.</p><img alt="Marilyn Monroe's Mansion "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1562869060/marilyn-monroe-house-exterior-MONROEHOUSE0719.jpg?itok=kSLNxDsR"><p>Perhaps most notably, the house was known as Marilyn Monroe’s “hideaway,” since it was owned by former 20th Century Fox chairman Joseph Schenck during the 1950s, according to the <em><a href="https://www.homesandproperty.co.uk/luxury/celebrity-homes/marilyn-monroes-la-hideaway-historic-owlwood-estate-is-for-sale-for-92-million-a131931.html" target="_blank">Evening Standard</a></em>. Monroe would often stay in the guest house at Owlwood. It was later purchased by actor Tony Curtis, who sold it to Sonny Bono and Cher in the 1970s.</p><p>Die-hard fans of Marilyn Monroe would surely love to own a piece of her storied life like Owlwood. Recently, other places associated with the star, like her <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/marilyn-monroe-joe-dimaggio-lexington-hotel-nyc-norma-jeane-suite" target="_blank">Lexington Hotel suite</a> that she shared with Joe DiMaggio, have become open to the public.</p><p>Similarly, properties that once belonged to classic Hollywood celebrities, like <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/rent-elizabeth-taylor-palm-spring-home" target="_blank">Elizabeth Taylor’s pink Palm Springs getaway</a>, have been available to rent out in recent years. <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/celebrity-travel/katharine-hepburn-connecticut-home" target="_blank">Katherine Hepburn’s New England home</a> also hit the market in 2017.</p><p>But this would be a chance for any Hollywood fan to truly own a piece of history.</p><img alt="Marilyn Monroe's Mansion "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1562869060/marilyn-monroe-mansion-bedroom-MONROEHOUSE0719.jpg?itok=oCfziB-X"><img alt="Marilyn Monroe's Mansion "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1562869060/marilyn-monroe-mansion-living-room-MONROEHOUSE0719.jpg?itok=JbM0e2yY"><img alt="Marilyn Monroe's Mansion "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1562869060/marilyn-monroe-mansion-staircase-MONROEHOUSE0719.jpg?itok=yiud0b42"><p>According to <em>Forbes</em>, the breathtaking, Italian Renaissance-inspired, 12,201-square-foot home has 10 acres of property, nine bedrooms, ten bathrooms, a separate guest house (as mentioned before), staff housing, marble fireplaces, crystal chandeliers, an elevator, spiral staircase, outdoor pool, outdoor tennis court, and exquisite landscaping. The home was originally built in the 1930s for Los Angeles entrepreneur Arthur Letts.</p><p>In 2017, Owlwood Estate was originally listed for just over $170 million, the <em>Evening Standar</em>, reported. Around this time, the estate was used for a Grammy Awards party thrown by Jay-Z with stars like Rihanna and Nick Jonas in attendance, according to <em>Forbes</em>.</p><p>More information, photos, and even video tours of Owlwood can be found on the <a href="https://www.141carolwood.com/" target="_blank">home listing</a>.</p>

<p>Shoppers, get your credit cards ready! Amazon Prime Day has officially begun, which means now is the perfect time to buy the travel-ready pieces you’ve been dreaming of for a fraction of the price. The sale includes highly-discounted prices on everything from luggage to travel accessories, but some of the best deals we’ve spotted have been on comfortable shoes. </p><p>There are thousands of pairs on sale from some of our favorite brands, including this pair of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Womens-Elastic-Sandals-Criss-Cross-Casual/dp/B07P6KMPZH/ref=as_li_ss_tl?th=1&amp;psc=1&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlprimeday2019comfortableshoesrcarhart0719-20&amp;linkId=21b312a9fa771631d81728d12915e5f9&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">adorable women’s sandals</a> and these <a href="https://www.amazon.com/New-Balance-Summit-Running-Orange/dp/B0751RDTV4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?th=1&amp;psc=1&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlprimeday2019comfortableshoesrcarhart0719-20&amp;linkId=0b43ec503bd42987dc9a74747d4597bf&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">stylish men’s New Balance sneakers</a>. But with so many amazing deals happening at once, it can be overwhelming to sort through them all — so we combed through hundreds of options and rounded up 10 of our favorite discounted styles.</p><p><strong>RELATED:</strong> <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/style/shoes/most-comfortable-sneakers" target="_blank">These 11 Shoe Brands Make the Most Comfortable Sneakers Around</a></p><p>Just remember, the deals are only good for 48-hours, or while supplies last, so if you want to save big on these comfy kicks, we suggest adding them to your shopping cart ASAP!</p><h2>Women’s Shoes</h2><img alt="adidas Women's Questar Flow "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1563203148/adidas-womens-questar-flow.jpg?itok=nlPz7aGx"><p>To buy: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/adidas-Womens-Questar-Flow-White/dp/B07D9MYMVH/ref=as_li_ss_tl?th=1&amp;psc=1&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlprimeday2019comfortableshoesrcarhart0719-20&amp;linkId=0569fd50da5f7c9a6a2ae66fb6f4bc78&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">amazon.com</a>, $53 (originally $75)</p><img alt="Tihoo Women's Elastic Flat Sandals "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1563203148/tihoo-womens-elastic-flat-sandals.jpg?itok=AaWa4L6x"><p>To buy: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Womens-Elastic-Sandals-Criss-Cross-Casual/dp/B07P6KMPZH/ref=as_li_ss_tl?th=1&amp;psc=1&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlprimeday2019comfortableshoesrcarhart0719-20&amp;linkId=21b312a9fa771631d81728d12915e5f9&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">amazon.com</a>, $11 (originally $23)</p><img alt="JENN ARDOR Women's Low Heels "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1563203148/jenn-ardor-womens-low-heels.jpg?itok=vBhJuJP3"><p>To buy: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/JENN-ARDOR-Womens-Ladies-Pointed/dp/B07C7WQVWZ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?th=1&amp;psc=1&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlprimeday2019comfortableshoesrcarhart0719-20&amp;linkId=7b1d6bb678b68ec9172bb15fbc016d52&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">amazon.com</a>, $24 (originally $30)</p><img alt="KEESKY 2019 New Leather Flats Loafers for Women "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1563203148/keesky-2019-new-leather-flats-loafers.jpg?itok=LnFSlH8V"><p>To buy: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/KEESKY-Shoes-Comfortable-Flats-Leather/dp/B07TMWT7NP/ref=as_li_ss_tl?th=1&amp;psc=1&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlprimeday2019comfortableshoesrcarhart0719-20&amp;linkId=032b83319ad843614356498d52946619&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">amazon.com</a>, $23 (originally $46)</p><img alt="RockDove Women's Flannel Lined Moccasin Slipper "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1563203148/rockdove-womens-flannel-lined-moccasin-slipper.jpg?itok=GZ1wqVBV"><p>To buy: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/RockDove-Womens-Memory-Moccasin-Slippers/dp/B079M3D79F/ref=as_li_ss_tl?th=1&amp;psc=1&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlprimeday2019comfortableshoesrcarhart0719-20&amp;linkId=07139421f37e11c785aef3143cbe0054&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">amazon.com</a>, $16 (originally $20)</p><h2>Men’s Shoes</h2><img alt="New Balance Men's Summit Unknown Trail Running Shoe "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1563203148/new-balance-mens-summit-unknown-trail-running-shoe.jpg?itok=U28143ki"><p>To buy: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/New-Balance-Summit-Running-Orange/dp/B0751RDTV4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?th=1&amp;psc=1&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlprimeday2019comfortableshoesrcarhart0719-20&amp;linkId=0b43ec503bd42987dc9a74747d4597bf&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">amazon.com</a>, $77 (originally $110)</p><img alt="Rockport Men's World Tour Classic "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1563203148/rockport-mens-world-tour-classic.jpg?itok=t3hi4xY9"><p>To buy: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rockport-World-Tour-Classic-Chocolate/dp/B006262IS8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?th=1&amp;psc=1&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlprimeday2019comfortableshoesrcarhart0719-20&amp;linkId=aab8a8ea944223cf95c9f0ae0653c883&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">amazon.com</a>, $99 (originally $110)</p><img alt="VOSTEY Men's Fashion Sneakers Business Casual Dress Sneakers Shoes for Men "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1563203148/vostey-mens-fashion-sneakers.jpg?itok=O_0lYrgL"><p>To buy: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/VOSTEY-Fashion-Sneakers-Lightweight-Breathable/dp/B07PQSVT5B/ref=as_li_ss_tl?th=1&amp;psc=1&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlprimeday2019comfortableshoesrcarhart0719-20&amp;linkId=f529db5b3e6da6195299017f0db275bd&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">amazon.com</a>, $27 (originally $70)</p><img alt="Tommy Hilfiger Men's Rance Shoe "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1563203148/tommy-hilfiger-mens-rance-shoe.jpg?itok=Lp0f5Inm"><p>To buy: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tommy-Hilfiger-RANCE-brown-Medium/dp/B078T41Z65/ref=as_li_ss_tl?th=1&amp;psc=1&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlprimeday2019comfortableshoesrcarhart0719-20&amp;linkId=88ac80ae6f2e5fe53276296d5cad5c54&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">amazon.com</a>, $48 (originally $60)</p><img alt="KUAILU Mens Adjustable Sandals "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1563203148/kuailu-mens-adjustable-sandals.jpg?itok=gg4R43vg"><p>To buy: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/KUAILU-Adjustable-Sandals-Cushion-Lightweight/dp/B07QKY1NXV/ref=as_li_ss_tl?th=1&amp;psc=1&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlprimeday2019comfortableshoesrcarhart0719-20&amp;linkId=a1155f6f7daa736be21156f70f94d0f7&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">amazon.com</a>, $16 (originally $20)</p>

<p>In the travel accessories world, the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LB7REFK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=tltrtlpillowplusprimeday-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B00LB7REFK&amp;linkId=a8161a837a64e9467c0497995656c6d9" target="_blank">Trtl pillow</a> is something of a phenomenon. Its unconventional approach to supporting the head and neck changed what a <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/style/travel-accessories/best-travel-pillows" target="_blank">neck pillow</a> could look like — and how well it could work — thus converting travel pillow non-believers everywhere. (It’s safe to say <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/style/shopping/trtl-pillow-review" target="_blank">our editors are obsessed</a>.) Now, the folks over at Scotland-based Trtl have finally released the 2.0 version: the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NZ18SRY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=tltrtlpillowplusprimeday-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B07NZ18SRY&amp;linkId=435c385e8ec45134cdc6ea83734a742d" target="_blank">Trtl Pillow Plus</a> — and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NZ18SRY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=tltrtlpillowplusprimeday-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B07NZ18SRY&amp;linkId=c549989ce0904dd752cb565278e8b854" target="_blank">you can score one on sale for Amazon Prime Day</a>.</p><p>After raising $450,000 in via crowdfunding campaigns on both Kickstarter and Indiegogo, the new pillow is finally available to shop on Amazon — where it quickly skyrocketed to the No. 1 New Release spot, by the way.</p><p>Five years of sleep ergonomics research went into the new version, and two major consumer wishes have been granted: lighter fabric and adjustable height. The new material is far more breathable than the Trtl pillow 1.0's fleece. It's still lined with super-soft micro-fleece, but there's now a mesh panel running along the center that will keep you from overheating. It's also still machine washable for convenience. </p><p><strong>Related:</strong> <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/style/travel-accessories/travel-neck-pillow-reviews" target="_blank">We Put 17 Travel Pillows to the Test, and Only One Got a Perfect Score</a></p><img alt="trtl pillow plus launch "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1538594427/trtl-pillow-plus-how-to-TRTL1018.jpg?itok=1yB93uRo"><p>More notably than the fabric change, though, is the new adjustable height feature for the internal support 'V'. Unwrapped, there are two auto-locking toggles that you can twist toward the right to expand or toward the left to shorten. And they operate independently of one another, so your Trtl can be shorter near your face and taller behind your shoulder, for example. Actually, it has 80 possible configurations — 80!</p><p>We tested one and were surprised to learn that once you get your height settings just-right Goldilocks style, you won't even need to wrap the fabric around your neck. The pillow will snuggle itself in between your head and shoulder and just do its thing on its own. </p><p>The price point for the Plus has gone up alongside the quality, usually retailing at $60 (the original Trtl Pillow generally retails for <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LB7REFK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=tltrtlpillowplusprimeday-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B00LB7REFK&amp;linkId=8f9cccbd12ffbe2c572406a38087856e" target="_blank">$30 on Amazon</a>). But for Amazon Prime Day 2019, you can shop the new Trtl Pillow Plus for $48.</p><h2>New Trtl Pillow Plus</h2><img alt="trtl pillow plus launch "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1538594427/new-trtl-pillow-TRTL1018.jpg?itok=6WvQMACp"><p>To buy: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NZ18SRY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=tltrtlpillowplusprimeday-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B07NZ18SRY&amp;linkId=c549989ce0904dd752cb565278e8b854" target="_blank">amazon.com</a>, $48 (originally $60)</p>

<p>American Airlines joined United in canceling flights onboard the 737 Max through at least November, the airline announced Sunday. The decision will likely cause a ripple effect of delayed travel for months to come.</p><p>In mid-March, airline companies grounded the worldwide fleet of Boeing 737 Max planes following two deadly crashes in <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/ethiopian-airlines-crash" target="_blank">Ethiopia</a> and <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/lion-air-cockpit-voice-recorder-found" target="_blank">Indonesia</a>. Since the Ethiopian crash, experts from Boeing have worked tirelessly alongside FAA officials to find an answer. Boeing announced it found a software fix for the glitch that allegedly caused both crashes.</p><p>However, the FAA announced in late June it found another “potential risk that Boeing must mitigate.” The new issue <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/faa-delays-boeing-737-max" target="_blank">affects the plane’s ability to quickly and easily follow recovery procedures for runaway stabilizer trim and stabilize the aircraft.”</p><p>Beyond the mechanical issues, <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/airlines-airports/boeing-737-max-8-resuming-service" target="_blank">consumer confidence</a> is still down about the plane, thus leading to further cancelations from airlines.</p><p>On Friday, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/12/american-airlines-boeing-737-max-cancelations-.html" target="_blank">United announced</a> it will cancel the use of the 737 Max through November 3. According to the airline, that will account for 2,100 cancellations in September and 2,900 in October.</p><p>“We are continuing to work through the schedule to try and swap and upgauge aircraft to mitigate the disruption caused by the grounding of the MAX,” United <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/12/united-airlines-extends-boeing-737-max-cancellations-to-early-november.html" target="_blank">said in a statement</a>. “We continue to automatically book affected customers on alternate flights. If we are unable to place them on a different flight, we will proactively reach out to try and offer other options.”</p><p>On Sunday, American Airlines said the same.</p><p>American said it is confident in the software update and new pilot training protocols,<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/airline-news/2019/07/14/american-airlines-united-extend-boeing-737-max-flight-cancellations/1726351001/" target="_blank"><em>USA Today</em> reported</a>. However, it added it will continue the cancelations to allow travelers to feel safe on the planes and so they can have "more reliably'' for fall travel.</p><p>The decision will amount to 115 canceled flights per day in October and the first few days of November. Travelers whose flights are affected can either rebook or request a refund.</p><p>Southwest is expected to put the Boeing 737 Max into use on October 1, barring any further decision to delay there, too.</p>

<p>Packing is almost always a hassle. From deciding on your outfits to trying to squeeze last-minute <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/carry-on-must-haves" target="_blank">necessities into a carry-on</a>, it can be an overwhelming task. To make the process a bit easier, travel experts will often <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/packing-tips/inside-expert-packed-luggage" target="_blank">recommend investing in packing cubes</a> to save space and make organizing a breeze. If you don’t know where to start, Amazon shoppers have already done the hard work for you — over 2,400 reviewers claim <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Packing-Various-Travel-Luggage-Organizers/dp/B07D4F1T2L/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlstylebestsellingpackingcubescbutan0719-20&amp;linkId=cb3ec58852193aad987f78e90647cc3b&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">the Bagail Packing Cubes Set are one of the best</a> on the market.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Packing-Various-Travel-Luggage-Organizers/dp/B07D4F1T2L/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlstylebestsellingpackingcubescbutan0719-20&amp;linkId=cb3ec58852193aad987f78e90647cc3b&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Bagail packing cubes come as a set of six</a>, including two slim cubes, two medium cubes, and two large-sized cubes. They each have zippers, handles, and mesh panels so you can easily identify what’s packed in each one. Shoppers say they can fit much more than they anticipated in each cube, plus they <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Packing-Various-Travel-Luggage-Organizers/dp/B07D4F1T2L/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlstylebestsellingpackingcubescbutan0719-20&amp;linkId=cb3ec58852193aad987f78e90647cc3b&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">come in 14 different color and pattern options</a> so you can mix and match. Anne McAlpin, packing expert and founder of packing resource <a href="http://www.packitup.com/pilot.asp" target="_blank">Pack It Up</a>, suggests buying a variety of cube colors. So if you’re looking for, say, pants, you’ll know what exactly color cube to grab. “It took me years to get on the packing cube bandwagon, but using them has changed my life,” she previously told Travel + Leisure.</p><img alt="Bagali Packing Cubes "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1562878141/bagail-6-set-packing-cubes.jpg?itok=grQdoWGL"><p>To buy: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Packing-Various-Travel-Luggage-Organizers/dp/B07D4F1T2L/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlstylebestsellingpackingcubescbutan0719-20&amp;linkId=cb3ec58852193aad987f78e90647cc3b&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">amazon.com</a>, $25</p><p>Amazon shoppers love the Bagail packing cubes so much that they’re the retail giant’s number-one best selling set and stand at an overall 4.8-star rating.</p><p>“I got these packing cubes on a whim, for a trip I am taking. I had no idea that they would end up being so great! I was mostly interested in the smaller ones, but I ended up using all six in my medium size suitcase. I found that I can keep my shoes, shirts, pants and so on separate and neat. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Packing-Various-Travel-Luggage-Organizers/dp/B07D4F1T2L/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlstylebestsellingpackingcubescbutan0719-20&amp;linkId=cb3ec58852193aad987f78e90647cc3b&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">It's amazing how much you can actually fit into these things</a>,” one customer wrote. “I got 4 pair of shoes in the medium sized one and 10 shirts in the big one. And needless to say, my suitcase is organized and I know where everything is. I won't have to do the scavenger hunt through my suitcase when I need something. These are a great travel must have, especially for the price.”</p><p>If you’ve already been considering packing cubes for your next trip or need a solution to unorganized packing (we’re not judging), <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Packing-Various-Travel-Luggage-Organizers/dp/B07D4F1T2L/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlstylebestsellingpackingcubescbutan0719-20&amp;linkId=cb3ec58852193aad987f78e90647cc3b&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">this Bagail set may be worthy of earning a spot</a> in your suitcase.</p>

<p>What’s old is new this summer at Universal Studios Hollywood — and much, much scarier.</p><p>The transformation of Jurassic Park: The Ride into 2019’s Jurassic World: The Ride, <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/amusement-parks/jurassic-world-the-ride-updated" target="_blank">opening soon at Universal Studios Hollywood</a>, has made the attraction into the kind of experience it was always intended to be.</p><p>You’ll see tons of dinosaurs, the velociraptor Blue, and <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/amusement-parks/jurassic-world-ride-universal-studios-hollywood" target="_blank">even Chris Pratt</a>, and even if you’ve never watched the latest “Jurassic World” film (or any of them, for that matter) you’ll still get a water-drenched, fear-filled ride. That’s because on this dinosaur-surrounded dinghy, there’s nothing to fear but fear itself.</p><p>SPOILER ALERT: If you want to be completely surprised on the new Jurassic ride, turn back now.</p><p>The biggest fright on Hollywood’s “Jurassic World”-themed ride isn’t the 84-foot drop, but an unexpected moment at the beginning. A new aquarium observatory with semi-realistic screen “portals” lets guests see the crocodile-like Mosasaurus whip by them on both sides of the would-be tank. What happens once the massive apex predator smashes into and cracks the window is better, as water blasts down upon the 25-passenger boat. It is a brilliant trick that leaves you shivering and wondering what's around each bend, even as you pass docile stegosauruses, the only scene of the original ride that remains intact.</p><p>There's no derailed vehicle to let you know something has gone awry in this newly reimagined dinosaur enclave — instead, it's the familiar voice of Bryce Dallas Howard, who plays Claire Dearing in the film series. “Please remain calm,” she says from a monitor, assuring passengers that help is on the way despite the Indominus Rex escaping containment.</p><p>It’s at this point in Jurassic World: The Ride that things get real. The attraction’s concept is that you’re in a park where things have gone awry, and Jurassic World no longer serves the cartoonish theme park trope of doomsday, but instead what would actually happen.</p><p>Gone are the derailed rafts, falling Jeep, and gimmicky effects of yesteryear, and in their place are realistic, modern security warnings helmed by Chris Pratt as Owen Grady. Screens cut to static as the star of both “Jurassic World” and its sequel, “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom,” commands you to keep your hands inside the boat, as containment alerts flash warnings signs of danger. You know it’s all part of the ride — dinosaurs no longer exist, after all — but somewhere between the bloody scratch marks surrounding a clawed-open Indominus Rex cage and hearing panic-stricken announcements about containment failures, a small part of you, just for a second, thinks — could this actually be happening?</p><p>Once you’re fully enveloped in darkness, the dinosaurs start to appear. Some are from the previous iteration, but others, like the film’s Blue, pop against the pitch black interior before you plunge back into the park by way of an eight-story drop.</p><p>Jurassic World: The Ride is scarier and wetter than the original, and the design itself is better, too: ‘90s-era yellow boats have been replaced by modernized grey vehicles, steel gates stand in place of old wooden ones, and sleek on-screen diagrams make it feel less like a boat ride through a nature preserve and more like a tech-science start-up with unlimited funding. (It’s also said the aquarium portion of the ride will change <a href="https://laist.com/2019/05/23/jurassic_world_the_ride_is_coming_and_its_bringing_the_movies_stars.php" target="_blank">depending on weather</a>, making visiting more than once even better.)</p>

<p>Napping while traveling can be difficult: With all the noise, lights, and not-so-ideal seating situations, some of us are never able to fall asleep on the way to our destination. But fortunately, <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/style/travel-accessories/travel-neck-pillow-reviews" target="_blank">there are tons of travel pillows out there</a> to help us out. One brand has even taken their travel pillows to the next level and designed them specifically for napping anytime, anywhere — <a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/node/9998500011/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll2&amp;tag=tlstyleostrichpillowprimeday2019cbutan0719-20&amp;linkId=71536b48702bca0055c5ae5a8c468236&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">and all of the brand’s products are on sale right now for Prime Day</a>.</p><p>You’ll probably recognize OstrichPillow’s quirky designs — <a href="https://www.amazon.com/OSTRICH-ORIGINAL-Pillow-Airplanes-Accessories/dp/B00B4S6SLW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlstyleostrichpillowprimeday2019cbutan0719-20&amp;linkId=6a240bc8a89f517074b1646077ae524b&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">their original launch was created to engulf your head entirely</a> for an immersive nap experience, and it definitely caught the internet’s attention a few years ago. Now, the company has five more products to help you get some shut-eye, including neck pillows, eye pillows, arm pillows, and even a hood. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/node/9998500011/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll2&amp;tag=tlstyleostrichpillowprimeday2019cbutan0719-20&amp;linkId=71536b48702bca0055c5ae5a8c468236&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">All of OstrichPillow’s products are 30 percent off on Amazon right now</a>, which means you can snag one for as low as $21 today. The only catch is that in order to access the sale, along with the rest of the Prime Day deals, you have to be a Prime Member (if you’re not, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/amazonprime/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&amp;ref=st_wlp_opt_out&amp;linkCode=ll2&amp;tag=tlstyleostrichpillowprimeday2019cbutan0719-20&amp;linkId=93044d8922be648876c1b5392a508263&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">you can sign up for a free, 30-day trial here</a>). </p><img alt="OSTRICHPILLOW Light Travel Pillow "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1562777017/ostrich-pillow-light-travel-pillow.jpg?itok=Xx2v0NzP"><p>To buy: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/OSTRICHPILLOW-Pillow-Airplanes-Support-Accessories/dp/B0153SNNTI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlstyleostrichpillowprimeday2019cbutan0719-20&amp;linkId=0264432dbe85cb3ceba8c3f222947dde&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">amazon.com</a>, $24.50 (originally $45)</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/OSTRICHPILLOW-Pillow-Airplanes-Support-Accessories/dp/B0153SNNTI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlstyleostrichpillowprimeday2019cbutan0719-20&amp;linkId=0264432dbe85cb3ceba8c3f222947dde&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">The OstrichPillow Light</a>, which can be slipped around your neck or head, was crowned one of the <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/style/travel-accessories/best-travel-pillows" target="_blank">best travel pillows for sensitive sleepers</a> by Travel + Leisure editors, and Amazon shoppers are particularly fond of it as well. “I cannot recommend this product enough. A good portion of my day is in front of a computer screen. I generally use 30–40 minutes of my lunch with this on my eyes and 'drift' (for lack of a better term),” one customer wrote. “It is very nice as it creates a kind of cocoon for your eyes and ears. I also take this on trips, you can adjust the rear of the pillow around your neck while still using it as an eye mask. These are very well made and worth the money.”</p><img alt="OSTRICHPILLOW Go Travel Pillow "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1562777017/ostrichpillow-go-travel-pillow.jpg?itok=oBOccNkO"><p>To buy: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/OSTRICH-PILLOW-OSTRICHPILLOW-Airplanes-Accessories/dp/B07GMJB5ZZ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlstyleostrichpillowprimeday2019cbutan0719-20&amp;linkId=d6ce477116c2b06cc9cdfed08bfc027b&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">amazon.com</a>, $42 (originally $60)</p><p>If you’ve had your eye on an OstrichPillow but haven’t made the plunge yet, now’s the best time to do it — <a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/node/9998500011/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll2&amp;tag=tlstyleostrichpillowprimeday2019cbutan0719-20&amp;linkId=71536b48702bca0055c5ae5a8c468236&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">you can only get 30 percent off from now until Tuesday, July 16</a>.</p>

<p>Tuesday, June 16 marks the 50th anniversary of the <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/space-astronomy/apollo-space-mission-vintage-photos" target="_blank">Apollo 11 launch</a> that brought humans to the moon. And, because this was such a momentous event for all of human history, everyone wants to celebrate, including Hotels.com.</p><p>The hotel search engine is launching <a data-ecommerce="true" href="http://www.hotels.com/page/moonlanding/" target="_blank">a flash sale</a> on Tuesday at exactly 9:32 a.m. EST, which marks the very minute the Apollo 11 rocket launched. Though not as huge as landing on the moon, the sale will still be a big one as Hotels.com is offering 50 percent off 11 “moon” properties across the globe.</p><p>The properties include:</p><a data-ecommerce="true" href="http://www.hotels.com/ho419348/" target="_blank">Mira Moon</a> in Hong Kong<a data-ecommerce="true" href="http://www.hotels.com/ho216289/" target="_blank">Half Moon</a> in Montego Bay, Jamaica<a data-ecommerce="true" href="http://www.hotels.com/ho538664/" target="_blank">Tiki Moon Villas</a>, in Laie, Hawaii<a data-ecommerce="true" href="http://www.hotels.com/ho127724/" target="_blank">The Beach House Hotel</a>, in Half Moon Bay, California<a data-ecommerce="true" href="http://www.hotels.com/ho504094/" target="_blank">Ochre Moon B&amp;B</a>, in Djugun, Australia<a data-ecommerce="true" href="http://www.hotels.com/ho617674/" target="_blank">Hotel Moonlight</a> in London, United Kingdom<a data-ecommerce="true" href="http://www.hotels.com/ho973741440/" target="_blank">Moonlo Hotel</a> in Shanghai, China<a data-ecommerce="true" href="http://www.hotels.com/ho635092960/" target="_blank">Moonlight Inn Guest House</a> in Rome, Italy<a data-ecommerce="true" href="http://www.hotels.com/ho129648/" target="_blank">Humphreys Half Moon Inn</a> in San Diego, California<a data-ecommerce="true" href="http://www.hotels.com/ho778338624/" target="_blank">Inn at Moonlight Beach</a> in Encinitas, California<a data-ecommerce="true" href="http://www.hotels.com/ho276461/" target="_blank">Moonrise Hotel</a> in St. Louis, Missouri<p>However, the sale does come with a catch. The sale, like the rocket launch, will be over in a flash. The promotion will only be active for 11 minutes — an ode to the 11 in the spacecraft’s name — and will disappear from our stratosphere at 9:43 a.m. ET</p><p>So, if you want in you better be prepared. Head over to the links above, or to <a data-ecommerce="true" href="http://www.hotels.com/page/moonlanding/" target="_blank">Hotels.com moon landing page</a>, to check out each of the rooms and bookmark your favorite. Then, on Tuesday, head back and click book using the promo code BLASTOFF.</p><p>If you need more moon-inspired vacation ideas here are <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/festivals/hotels-celebrating-moon-landing-anniversary" target="_blank">even more hotels</a> going all-out for the major anniversary, along with a few places around the world to visit to feel like <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/space-astronomy/apollo-eleven-anniversary" target="_blank">you’re on an entirely different planet</a>.</p>

<p>Whether you consider yourself to be a surfer or not, you’re likely influenced by surf culture. If you drop a “dude” from time-to-time, highlight your hair blonde, or pack board shorts and flip flops for a beach vacay you’ve been impacted by the laid-back, ever-cool vibe of surf culture — even if you’ve never stepped on a board. It’s a culture so imbued with cool that even the Beach Boys (most of whom <a href="https://www.surfertoday.com/surfing/dennis-wilson-the-only-surfer-in-the-beach-boys" target="_blank">didn’t surf</a>) used it to inspire their sound and lyrics.</p><p>That’s why surf spots matter. Even if you have no intention of riding a wave — let alone going in the water — <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/adventure-travel/what-to-know-before-first-surf-lesson" target="_blank">visiting a surf beach</a> delivers a front-row seat to surf culture. And whether you’re like the Beach Boys and want to keep your toes firmly planted in the sand, or a pro surfer looking for the next great swell, there’s really no reason why visiting a super-cool surf spot shouldn’t be at the top of your list.</p><p>When you’re ready to join the sun-kissed squad, <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/best-beginner-spots-surfing" target="_blank">the essentials</a> are few: sunscreen, a swimsuit, and a board — or a book, if that’s more your style. To get started, here are some of our favorite surf spots where you can get your fill — and then some — of the ever-cool surf world.</p><h2>Surfer's Corner, Muizenberg, South Africa</h2><img alt="International Surfing Day - Surfing Spots Around the World "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1560897521/surfer-corner-cape-town-south-africa-SURFSPOTS0619.jpg?itok=he9REous"><p><a href="http://muizenberg.info/activities/surfing" target="_blank">Muizenberg Beach</a> is a great spot for beginners — with consistent waves and a sandy floor — and the pros at <a href="https://garysurf.com/" target="_blank">Gary’s Surf School</a> are on hand to teach the surf-basics, if needed.</p><h2>Soup Bowl, Bathsheba, Barbados</h2><img alt="International Surfing Day - Surfing Spots Around the World "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1560897521/bathsheba-barbados-SURFSPOTS0619.jpg?itok=Lumyu3al"><p>Join the likes of Kelly Slater and the Malloy brothers who come to the <a href="https://www.surfing-barbados.com/surfing-in-barbados/" target="_blank">Soup Bowl</a> year after year. The swells here can be heavy, so if you’re a newbie, head to the <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/adventure-travel/barbados-surfing" target="_blank">southern coast</a> of the island to visit the more consistent breaks found at South Point and Brandons.</p><h2>Diamond Head, Oahu, Hawaii</h2><img alt="International Surfing Day - Surfing Spots Around the World "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1560897521/diamond-head-oahu-hawaii-SURFSPOTS0619.jpg?itok=UhvoR3zM"><p>The Hawaiian island of Oahu is full of surf spots — from Waikiki for beginners to the iconic Pipeline for the pros — for those who fall somewhere in the middle, we recommend a visit to <a href="https://www.hawaiimagazine.com/content/4-oahu-surf-spots-perfect-beginners" target="_blank">Diamond Head</a>.</p><h2>Sayulita Beach, Sayulita, Mexico</h2><img alt="International Surfing Day - Surfing Spots Around the World "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1560897521/sayulita-beach-mexico-SURFSPOTS0619.jpg?itok=6CFDo7GP"><p>This tiny surf town is a great place to learn and hone your surf skills. When you’re worn out, sit on the beach and nosh on fish tacos or head back to this <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/15796609?location=Sayulita%2C%20Mexique&amp;source_impression_id=p3_1560590643_VYiNOBiXYb3gbh%2FO" target="_blank">treehouse bungalow</a> for a nap.</p><h2>Kuta, Bali, Indonesia</h2><img alt="International Surfing Day - Surfing Spots Around the World "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1560897521/kuta-bali-indonesia-SURFSPOTS0619.jpg?itok=jCjNytQt"><p>June is the perfect time to visit this Indonesian island as Kuta beach sees some of their best and most consistent waves between March and November. Grab a board (and maybe a lesson) from <a href="https://www.odysseysurfschool.com/bali-surfing-information/best-time-to-surf-in-bali/" target="_blank">Odysseys Surf School</a> and hit the water.</p><h2>La Côte des Basques, Biarritz, France</h2><img alt=" "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1560897521/la-cote-des-basques-biarritz-france-SURFSPOTS0619.jpg?itok=XRKkmyxC"><p>You don’t have to travel to an island or the tropics to surf; on the border between France and Spain is a reliable <a href="https://www.activeazur.com/surfing/south-west-france/biarritz" target="_blank">year-round swell</a> with several surf spots. We suggest a visit to La Côte des Basques where you can enjoy a view of the surrounding cliffs and Spanish coast from your surfboard perch.</p><h2>Santa Barbara, Azores, Portugal</h2><img alt="International Surfing Day - Surfing Spots Around the World "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1560897521/Riberia-Grande-Sao-Miguel-Azores-Portugal-SURFSPOTS0619.jpg?itok=44LH7V7o"><p>São Miguel, the biggest island in the Azores, delivers a north-facing beach break and minimal crowds that’ll entertain surfers of all levels. We suggest a stay at the <a href="http://santabarbaraazores.com/en/galeria" target="_blank">Santa Barbara Eco-Beach Resort</a> and time spent riding the waves at Santa Barbara beach.</p><h2>La Bocana, Bay of Huatulco, Mexico</h2><img alt="International Surfing Day - Surfing Spots Around the World "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1560897521/la-bocana-huatulco-mexico-SURFSPOTS0619.jpg?itok=CHOwlg6P"><p>There are over 25 beaches on the Bay of Huatulco, but surfers will want to head to La Bocana and Barra de la Cruz for the best waves. After a day of surfing, put up your feet and settle in at <a href="https://www.lasbrisashotels.com.mx/en/huatulco/" target="_blank">La Brisas Huatulco</a>.</p><h2>Surfrider Beach, Malibu, California</h2><img alt="International Surfing Day - Surfing Spots Around the World "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1560897521/surf-rider-beach-malibu-california-SURFSPOTS0619.jpg?itok=y4A9UIUf"><p>Surfers will be rewarded with a long, right-hand break while non-surfers can watch from the pier above. If it’s too busy — which it often is — Trestles further south is worth a try.</p><h2>Big Wave Bay, Hong Kong</h2><img alt="International Surfing Day - Surfing Spots Around the World "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1560897521/big-wave-bay-hong-kong-SURFSPOTS0619.jpg?itok=IuXMi2b1"><p>Hong Kong may be a densely populated island, but there’s still great surfing to be found. Big Wave Bay is a surfer paradise with its low-key beach break and a <a href="https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-do/the-best-places-to-surf-in-hong-kong" target="_blank">public transport accessible</a> location.</p><h2>Playa El Tunco, El Tunco, El Salvador</h2><img alt="International Surfing Day - Surfing Spots Around the World "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1560897521/el-tunco-el-salvador-SURFSPOTS0619.jpg?itok=znHXDCpm"><p>The surfer vibe is alive and well in this tiny <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/worlds-coolest-surf-towns" target="_blank">beach town</a>. Barefoot, bikini clad surfers grab a juice after a surf sesh and the rolling waves deliver consistent fun.</p>

<p>In addition to <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/style/shopping/when-is-amazon-prime-day" target="_blank">Amazon’s Prime Day deals</a> on <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/style/travel-bags/travelpro-luggage-sale-amazon" target="_blank">luggage and bags</a>, electronics and devices, and all sorts of travel gear, now is one of the best times to snag a DNA kit for super cheap. </p><p>For a limited time, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/amazonprime/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll2&amp;tag=tlprimeday2019ancestrydnajmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=54fbd94f7a1ff05965494364ce1e2660&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Prime members</a> (or anyone who registers for a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/amazonprime/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll2&amp;tag=tlprimeday2019ancestrydnajmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=54fbd94f7a1ff05965494364ce1e2660&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">30-day free trial</a>) can save a ton of money on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/AncestryDNA-Genetic-Testing/dp/B00TRLVKW0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;th=1&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlprimeday2019ancestrydnajmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=9fa0c854f82cae26e8d8883a36acccde&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">AncestryDNA’s best-selling Genetic Testing Ethnicity kit</a> on Amazon, which is currently 50 percent off in honor of Prime Day. The <a href="https://www.amazon.com/AncestryDNA-Genetic-Testing/dp/B00TRLVKW0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;th=1&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlprimeday2019ancestrydnajmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=9fa0c854f82cae26e8d8883a36acccde&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">$49 DNA test</a>, which usually goes for almost $100, is an affordable way to discover your ancestral roots and family history. It’s also a special gift for friends and family who are interested in learning more about their genealogy.</p><img alt="Amazon Ancestry DNA "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/ancestry.jpg?itok=OENUmo4q"><p>To buy: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/AncestryDNA-Genetic-Testing/dp/B00TRLVKW0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;th=1&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlprimeday2019ancestrydnajmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=9fa0c854f82cae26e8d8883a36acccde&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">amazon.com</a>, $49 (Originally $99)</p><p>Each kit comes with a saliva collector, which users fill and then send back to the company for testing. After six to eight weeks at their laboratory, participants receive a breakdown of their ethnicity along with information about their family’s migration around the globe. Users also gain access to AncestryDNA’s digital platform to connect with relatives and explore the database containing over 20 billion historical records.</p><p>The DNA test, which is one of the most affordable options on the market right now, also makes a thoughtful present for friends or family hoping to learn more about their lineage. Since each box comes with everything they need to get tested and access their results, the kit can easily be gifted and<b id="docs-internal-guid-624055ce-7fff-d62a-6b7f-d974a475f57e"> </b>used whenever the recipient chooses.</p><p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/style/travel-accessories/best-travel-passport-wallet-amazon" target="_blank">The Best-selling Travel Wallet on Everyone's Amazon Wish List</a></p><p>And for just a bit more, shoppers can opt for AncestryDNA’s <a href="https://www.amazon.com/AncestryDNA-Genetic-Testing-Ethnicity-Traits/dp/B07J1FZQBC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;th=1&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlprimeday2019ancestrydnajmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=30f28b48388723a47b1eabfe6b26ba42&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Genetic Testing Ethnicity + Traits set</a>, which includes all of the above and details <a href="https://support.ancestry.com/s/article/Frequently-Asked-Questions-About-AncestryDNA-Traits" target="_blank">18 personal traits</a> specific to your DNA, like your hair strand thickness and even your innate aversion to cilantro. This <a href="https://www.amazon.com/AncestryDNA-Genetic-Testing-Ethnicity-Traits/dp/B07J1FZQBC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;th=1&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlprimeday2019ancestrydnajmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=30f28b48388723a47b1eabfe6b26ba42&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">kit is also on sale for Prime Day and marked down for $69</a> — that’s 60 percent off its usual $119 price tag.</p><p>No matter what you discover, you’re bound to get some new and <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/best-places-to-travel-in-2019" target="_blank">exciting getaway inspiration</a>. Just think of it as the ultimate guide for that <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/family-heritage-trips" target="_blank">once-in-a-lifetime world trip</a> you’ve always wanted to take.</p><p>To buy: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/AncestryDNA-Genetic-Testing-Ethnicity-Traits/dp/B07J1FZQBC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;th=1&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlprimeday2019ancestrydnajmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=30f28b48388723a47b1eabfe6b26ba42&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">amazon.com</a>, $69 (Originally $119).</p>

<p>There is no shortage of places to stay in San Francisco. The town is practically crawling with hotels — it is the birthplace of Airbnb after all. There’s an option for practically every type of traveler — usually with easy access to downtown and the trendier neighborhoods.</p><p>But when you’ve got an early morning flight out of <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/airlines-airports/sfo-airport" target="_blank">SFO</a>, a centrally-located hotel can quickly turn from a blessing to a nightmare. In easy traffic conditions, it takes about 30 minutes to drive from downtown San Francisco to the airport. But, unfortunately, San Francisco is not known for its easy traffic conditions.</p><p>If you’re considering going the airport hotel route, there’s no need to imagine a dingy roadside motel where the sound of planes rumbles walls and the bedsheets are of questionable cleanliness. SFO has a slew of hotels, mostly within a five-minute drive of the international terminal. And they boast many of the same perks you’d want in a city hotel. Some are located right on the San Francisco Bay, offering fantastic views. Others have fine dining options or massive swimming pools.</p><p>Whatever you’re in the mood for, you don’t need to settle for lesser quality above location. Scroll through to discover nine of the best airport hotels, all with incredibly easy access to your terminal.</p><h2>The Westin San Francisco Airport</h2><p><a href="https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/sfowi-the-westin-san-francisco-airport/" target="_blank">This Westin</a> aims to be a center of <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/travel-health-wellness-products" target="_blank">wellness</a> for those traveling through SFO. You can jog on the bayfront trails near the hotel, swim laps in the indoor pool or start sweating in the fitness studio. But you won’t need to run to get wherever you’re going. The hotel is located a five-minute drive from the airport and about 20 minutes to downtown San Francisco.</p><p><em>To book: <a data-ecommerce="true" href="http://www.booking.com/hotel/us/the-westin-san-francisco-airport.html?" target="_blank">from $152 per night</a></em></p><h2>El Rancho Inn</h2><p>This hotel has been operating near the airport for more than 70 years. And with that length of experience, they’ve developed <a href="https://www.elranchoinn.com/" target="_blank">a handy “Park, Sleep &amp; Fly” package</a> that allows travelers to sleep the night before their flight, leave their car in the parking lot for up to eight days, get breakfast before leaving the hotel and jump on the free 24-hour airport shuttle, that will get you there in less than 10 minutes.</p><p><em>To book: <a data-ecommerce="true" href="http://www.kayak.com/Millbrae-Hotels-El-Rancho-Inn-Signature-Collection.28251.ksp" target="_blank">from $114 per night</a></em></p><h2>Bay Landing Hotel</h2><p><a href="http://www.baylandinghotel.com/">This cozy hotel</a> is as close to a bayfront cottage as travelers through the airport can get. Guests in the 130 rooms can look out over the bay or gather near the lobby fireplace. Once it comes time to grab your flight, the free shuttle will take you from hotel to airport in five minutes.</p><p><em>To book: <a data-ecommerce="true" href="http://www.hotels.com/ho222947/bay-landing-san-francisco-airport-hotel-burlingame-united-states-of-america" target="_blank">from $159 per night</a></em></p><h2>Villa Montes Hotel</h2><p>This smaller hotel only has 41 rooms, but has all of the comforts of a larger hotel — fitness center, sauna, and stellar concierge services. <a href="https://villamonteshotel.com/">Villa Montes</a> is about a five-minute drive from SFO and just a few minutes’ walk from the San Bruno Caltrain station.</p><p><em>To book: <a data-ecommerce="true" href="http://www.hotels.com/ho271136/villa-montes-hotel-an-ascend-hotel-collection-member-san-bruno-united-states-of-america/" target="_blank">from $130 per night</a></em></p><h2>Aloft San Francisco Airport</h2><img alt="San Francisco Airport Hotels "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1560882947/aloft-san-francisco-airport-hotel-SFOHOTELS0619.jpg?itok=pxWPHazK"><p><a data-ecommerce="true" href="http://www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/sfoal-aloft-san-francisco-airport/" target="_blank">Aloft</a> hopes to make the check-in process less rigid. You can use an app to communicate with staff, find out when your room is ready and grab food from the bar or food counters whenever you like. Of course, the hotel also offers a shuttle service to the airport that runs all night, every night. </p><p><em>To book: <a data-ecommerce="true" href="http://www.hotels.com/ho112389" target="_blank">from $143 per night</a></em></p><h2>The Dylan at SFO</h2><p>You don’t need to choose a giant chain hotel to get an airport location. <a href="https://www.dylansfo.com/">The Dylan</a> is a boutique hotel with only 58 rooms, located less than a mile away from the airport. The smaller size ensures you’ll get more personalized service but it’s not so small that it lacks basic amenities. There’s a free shuttle service that runs 24/7 to get you to and from the airport with ease.</p><p><em>To book: <a data-ecommerce="true" href="http://www.hotels.com/ho111336/the-dylan-at-sfo-millbrae-united-states-of-america" target="_blank">from $124 per night</a></em></p><h2>San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront</h2><p>In San Francisco, there’s no need to choose between easy airport access and waterfront views. <a data-ecommerce="true" href="http://www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/sfobg-san-francisco-airport-marriott-waterfront/" target="_blank">This Marriott</a> boasts views of the San Francisco Bay from its rooms, but it’s also got a shuttle that will get you to the airport in less than 10 minutes.</p><p><em>To book: <a data-ecommerce="true" href="http://www.hotels.com/ho105573/san-francisco-airport-marriott-waterfront-burlingame-united-states-of-america" target="_blank">from $199 per month</a></em></p><h2>Millwood Inn &amp; Suites</h2><p>Guests love <a href="https://www.millwoodinn.com">this hotel</a> for the location. You’re less than a mile away from both BART and Caltrain stations. Once it comes time to travel, the hotel has a free shuttle that will get you to the airport in about 10 minutes. It’s only about three miles away.</p><p><em>To book: <a data-ecommerce="true" href="http://www.hotels.com/ho153452/millwood-inn-and-suites-millbrae-united-states-of-america/" target="_blank">from $129 per night</a></em></p><h2>Grand Hyatt at SFO</h2><img alt="San Francisco Airport Hotels "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1560882947/Grand-Hyatt-San-Francisco-SFOHOTELS0619.jpg?itok=qsmVPvJS"><p>You truly can’t get any closer to SFO than the <a data-ecommerce="true" href="http://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/california/grand-hyatt-at-sfo/sfogh" target="_blank">Grand Hyatt</a>. You can take the SFO AirTrain straight from your terminal to the hotel doors. There’s on-site upscale dining, views of the airport runway from your room and even dedicated spaces for yoga and massage. It’s all <em>very </em>San Francisco, but you don’t even have to leave the airport.</p><p><em>To book: <a data-ecommerce="true" href="http://www.booking.com/hotel/us/grand-hyatt-san-francisco.html" target="_blank">from $179 per night</a></em></p>

<p>If you’re ready to replace your go-to luggage and travel pieces with fresh, top-notch finds, <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/style/shopping/when-is-amazon-prime-day" target="_blank">Amazon’s massive array of Prime Day deals</a> is the best place to score a discount.</p><p>For just two days, Amazon will feature tons of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/goldbox/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll2&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=30c3c5b1731e54a7738650d5eaf3265f&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Prime Day 2019 sales</a> across its many departments including its <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/browse.html/ref=as_li_ss_tl?node=9479199011&amp;linkCode=ll2&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=d42ce32705a410b5af4c1390bf76138e&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">impressive luggage selection</a> with discounts up to 60 percent off. With massive savings on carry-on pieces, luggage sets, spinners, hardcase suitcases, travel duffels, and much more, you’re bound to find the exact style you prefer.</p><p>Amazon’s many Prime Day markdowns will also apply to popular brands like Samsonite, Delsey Paris, Travelpro, and its in-house AmazonBasics line, making now the best time to score savings on these top-rated brands. And while you must be a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/amazonprime/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll2&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=30c3c5b1731e54a7738650d5eaf3265f&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Prime member</a> to take advantage of all the savings, anyone can sign up for a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/amazonprime/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll2&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=30c3c5b1731e54a7738650d5eaf3265f&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">free 30-day trial</a> and gain access to all of the Prime Day sales happening now. </p><p>Many of these featured markdowns will sell out fast or end after just a few hours if they’re a Lightning Deal, so be sure to add them to your cart while you can. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/goldbox/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll2&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=30c3c5b1731e54a7738650d5eaf3265f&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Browse all of the Prime Day deals yourself on Amazon</a>, or shop our curated selection of the best finds here. Either way, you’ll save a ton, leaving you with a little extra to put towards your next getaway! </p><h2>Amazon Prime Day 2019 Luggage Deals</h2><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Samsonite-Winfield-Hardside-Luggage-Anthracite/dp/B072M5FXK3/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=3fb3ab76da0bc9270efc0ed690e800de&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Spinner Carry-On Luggage</a> for $89 (originally $160)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Samsonite-Winfield-Hardside-Luggage-Anthracite/dp/B072Q4F6JG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=3fb3ab76da0bc9270efc0ed690e800de&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Spinner Medium Luggage</a> for $120 (originally $190)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Samsonite-Winfield-Hardside-Luggage-Anthracite/dp/B072Q31PBF/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=3fb3ab76da0bc9270efc0ed690e800de&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Spinner Large Luggage</a> for $115 (originally $220)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Samsonite-Wheeled-Underseater-Small-Black/dp/B00F9KE5UC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=3fb3ab76da0bc9270efc0ed690e800de&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Samsonite Wheeled Underseater</a> for $59 (originally $200)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Samsonite-Freeform-Hardside-Spinner-Black/dp/B01M0A3BKH/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=3fb3ab76da0bc9270efc0ed690e800de&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Samsonite Freeform Expandable Hardside Spinner Luggage</a> for $120 (originally $160)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Samsonite-Centric-Expandable-Hardside-Luggage/dp/B074VLT23L/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=3fb3ab76da0bc9270efc0ed690e800de&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Samsonite Centric Expandable Hardside Spinner Luggage</a> for $96 (originally $140)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Samsonite-Centric-Expandable-Hardside-Luggage/dp/B074WP2FC7/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=3fb3ab76da0bc9270efc0ed690e800de&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Samsonite Centric Expandable Hardside Spinner Luggage 3-Piece Set</a> for $289 (originally $510)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Premium-Hardside-Spinner-Luggage/dp/B07CWQQPTG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=3fb3ab76da0bc9270efc0ed690e800de&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner Luggage Two-Piece Set</a> for $73 (originally $160)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Premium-Hardside-Spinner-Luggage/dp/B07CWD5QBS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=3fb3ab76da0bc9270efc0ed690e800de&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner Luggage Three-Piece Set</a> for $133 (originally $200)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Luggage-Lightest-Spinner-Pennant-Cobblestone/dp/B07GX1KJ5D/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=3fb3ab76da0bc9270efc0ed690e800de&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">IT Luggage 31.5-Inch World's Lightest 8 Wheel Spinner</a> for $74 (originally $100)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/luggage-Worlds-Lightest-Accent-Wheel/dp/B07KFQCV55/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=3fb3ab76da0bc9270efc0ed690e800de&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">IT luggage World's Lightest Accent 8 Wheel Three-Piece Set</a> for $140 (originally $240)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Titanium-International-Expandable-Spinner-Luggage/dp/B00MQEVGK6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=3fb3ab76da0bc9270efc0ed690e800de&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Delsey Paris Helium Titanium International Carry-On</a> for $114 (originally $180)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Luggage-Chatelet-Checked-Suitcase-Chocolate/dp/B01HIATG68/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=3fb3ab76da0bc9270efc0ed690e800de&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Delsey Paris Luggage Chatelet Hard+ Large Checked Spinner Suitcase</a> for $149 (originally $330)<h2>Amazon Prime Day 2019 Duffel and Weekender Bag Deals </h2><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Herschel-Supply-Co-Novel-Black/dp/B0077CLCWO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=3fb3ab76da0bc9270efc0ed690e800de&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Herschel Novel Duffel Bag</a> for $49 (originally $85)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Delsey-Luggage-Chatelet-Weekender-Duffel/dp/B07HCKVD7T/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=3fb3ab76da0bc9270efc0ed690e800de&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Delsey Luggage Chatelet Soft Air Weekender Duffel</a> for $122 (originally $180)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0145FK6ZO/" target="_blank">Tommy Bahama Travel Carry Duffle Bag Weekend Duffel</a> for $38 (originally $65)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G4DKP86/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=3fb3ab76da0bc9270efc0ed690e800de&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Fossil Defender Leather Duffle Bag</a> for $227 (originally $398)<h2>Amazon Prime Day 2019 Backpack Deals</h2><a href="https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Slim-Carry-Travel-Backpack/dp/B079L8JS1G/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=3fb3ab76da0bc9270efc0ed690e800de&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">AmazonBasics Slim Carry On Travel Backpack</a> for $45 (originally $56)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Backpack-Business-Charging-Resistant-Computer/dp/B06XZTZ7GB/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=3fb3ab76da0bc9270efc0ed690e800de&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Matein Anti-theft Travel Laptop Backpack</a> for $32 (originally $50)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Herschel-Supply-Co-America-Backpack/dp/B00838TCGO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=3fb3ab76da0bc9270efc0ed690e800de&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Herschel Supply Co. Little America Backpack</a> for $77 (originally $100)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Herschel-Nova-Backpack-Lavender-Crosshatch/dp/B07GTC3VHC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=3fb3ab76da0bc9270efc0ed690e800de&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Herschel Supply Co. Nova Mid-Volume Backpack</a> for $51 (originally $65)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Herschel-Supply-Co-Backpack-Smoked/dp/B078J323CS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=3fb3ab76da0bc9270efc0ed690e800de&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Herschel Iona Backpack</a> for $46 (originally $60)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Herschel-Sprout-Backpack-Royal-Hoffman/dp/B07DYKT5QQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=3fb3ab76da0bc9270efc0ed690e800de&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Herschel Supply Co. Nova Sprout Weekender Bag</a> for $49 (originally $94)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Herschel-Dawson-Small-Backpack-Polka/dp/B07GT7DR5T/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=3fb3ab76da0bc9270efc0ed690e800de&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Herschel Dawson Small Backpack</a> for $54 (originally $65)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Delsey-Luggage-Chatelet-Backpack-Fashion/dp/B07HCRJC28/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=3fb3ab76da0bc9270efc0ed690e800de&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Delsey Luggage Chatelet Soft Air Backpack</a> for $120 (originally $140)<p>And for those who want to keep it simple and shop only the absolute best deals and finds, check out these handpicked markdowns before they sell out. </p><h2>Best Amazon Prime Day 2019 Luggage and Bag Deals</h2><p><strong>Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Spinner Carry-On Luggage</strong></p><img alt="Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Spinner Carry-On Luggage "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1562785974/samsonite-winfield-2-hardside-spinner-carry-on-luggage.jpg?itok=fGjhbt32"><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Samsonite-Winfield-Hardside-Luggage-Anthracite/dp/B072M5FXK3/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=3fb3ab76da0bc9270efc0ed690e800de&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">This best-selling Samsonite luggage, which is 44 percent off</a>, has racked up over 2,400 perfect reviews with Amazon shoppers calling it the “best suitcase in its price range.” Get the lightweight spinner suitcase in one of eight colors and three sizes — you’ll love its high-quality and classic design. What’s more, each piece comes with a 10-year warranty ensuring your purchase is protected. </p><p>To buy: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Samsonite-Winfield-Hardside-Luggage-Anthracite/dp/B072M5FXK3/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=3fb3ab76da0bc9270efc0ed690e800de&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">amazon.com</a>, $89 (originally $160)</p><p><strong>AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner Luggage Three-Piece Set</strong></p><img alt="AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner Luggage Three-Piece Set "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1562785974/amazonbasics-hardside-spinner-luggage-three-piece-set.jpg?itok=NBbwFEsh"><p>Get one of Amazon’s best budget luggage sets for an additional discount this Prime Day and you’ll be ready for every kind of adventure. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Premium-Hardside-Spinner-Luggage/dp/B07CWD5QBS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=3fb3ab76da0bc9270efc0ed690e800de&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">This expandable hardside spinner set from AmazonBasics</a> comes with a built-in TSA lock and compression sections to help you store even more. Plus, you can always unzip its expandable compartment to get more space. </p><p>To buy: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Premium-Hardside-Spinner-Luggage/dp/B07CWD5QBS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=3fb3ab76da0bc9270efc0ed690e800de&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">amazon.com</a>, $133 (originally $200)</p><p><strong>Matein Anti-theft Travel Laptop Backpack</strong></p><img alt="Matein Anti-theft Travel Laptop Backpack "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1562785974/matein-anti-theft-travel-laptop-backpack.jpg?itok=uDxp0M7h"><p>Score one of Amazon’s most popular backpacks (it’s earned over 4,000 five-star reviews) for 36 percent off right now. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Backpack-Business-Charging-Resistant-Computer/dp/B06XZTZ7GB/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=3fb3ab76da0bc9270efc0ed690e800de&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">This sleek Matein backpack</a> comes with tons of neat features like an external USB charging port, an anti-theft pocket, luggage strap, and laptop compartment. And thanks to its simple design, you can wear it everywhere from the airport to the office.</p><p>To buy: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Backpack-Business-Charging-Resistant-Computer/dp/B06XZTZ7GB/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=3fb3ab76da0bc9270efc0ed690e800de&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">amazon.com</a>, $32 (originally $50)</p><p><strong>Herschel Supply Co. Nova Sprout Weekender Bag</strong></p><img alt=" Herschel Supply Co. Nova Sprout Weekender Bag "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1562785974/herschel-supply-co-nova-sprout-weekender-bag.jpg?itok=OSmEy5Xa"><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Herschel-Sprout-Backpack-Royal-Hoffman/dp/B07DYKT5QQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=3fb3ab76da0bc9270efc0ed690e800de&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">This versatile Herschel weekender backpack</a> doesn’t sacrifice fashion for function, and as its name implies, comes with a roomy interior with plenty of space for everything you need for a weekend away. Select colors and patterns are currently up to 48 percent off, making this one of the best Herschel bag deals on Amazon right now. </p><p>To buy: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Herschel-Sprout-Backpack-Royal-Hoffman/dp/B07DYKT5QQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=3fb3ab76da0bc9270efc0ed690e800de&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">amazon.com</a>, $49 (originally $94)</p><p><strong>Delsey Paris Luggage Chatelet Hard+ Carry On Spinner Suitcase</strong></p><img alt="Delsey Paris Luggage Chatelet Hard+ Large Spinner Suitcase "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1558714908/delsey-paris-luggage-chatelet-hard-large-spinner-suitcase.jpg?itok=x_g5FEN_"><p>This gorgeous, high-end piece of luggage from Delsey Paris is marked down by 45 percent and may be on the most stylish suitcase included in Amazon’s Prime Day many deals. The carry on features everything you’d want in a piece of luggage: a TSA-approved lock, smooth, spinner wheels, and an organized interior complete with a garment compartment and hanger. </p><p>To buy: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HIATF6Y/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlsalluggageprimeday2019jmattern0719-20&amp;linkId=3fb3ab76da0bc9270efc0ed690e800de&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">amazon.com</a>, $138 (originally $250)</p>

<p>Over the weekend, Meghan Markle took a bit of time away from her <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/celebrity-travel/meghan-markle-public-appearance-at-wimbledon" target="_blank">maternity leave</a> for a much-deserved date night with her husband, Prince Harry. But, this wasn’t any old date night. This was movie night alongside <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/beyonce-jay-z-twins-vacation-photos" target="_blank">Beyonce</a>, who happened to give the couple seriously sage parenting advice.</p><p>The royal couple attended the London premiere of "The Lion King" on Sunday evening, warmly greeting fans along the red carpet. And, inside the theater, the couple also got to meet the king and queen of music — Beyonce and her husband Jay Z.</p><p>Upon their meeting, the two couples warmly hugged and said their hellos. The moment was even captured by royal reporter Rebecca English.</p><p>Their chatter quickly turned to babies, as Jay and Beyonce are parents to three adorable kids themselves.</p><p>According to <em>The Daily Mail</em>, Beyonce kicked off the conversation about kids, telling Harry and Meghan their new son, <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/celebrity-travel/queen-elizabeth-will-not-attend-archies-christening">Archie</a>, was “beautiful.”</p><p>"The baby is so beautiful, we love you guys,” Beyonce said, according to <em>Business Insider</em>.</p><p>Harry and Meghan both thanked them before Harry replied, "And how are the twins?"</p><p>Beyonce noted, "They are not here. They don't come on every trip. We left them at home. They would have loved to be here.”</p><p>Before the two couples parted ways Jay Z pulled Harry to the side to offer a bit of simple, but important, parting advice. According to <em>Business Insider</em>, the rapper told the Prince, "The best advice I can give you, always find time for yourself."</p><p>Beyond Jay Z and Beyonce the royals also met with more of "The Lion King" Cast and even announced a partnership with Disney and its new <a href="https://partners.disney.com/the-lion-king-protect-the-pride">Protect the Pride</a> initiative. According to <a href="https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/royal-date-night-prince-harry-meghan-attend-lion-64282994">Good Morning America</a>, the Royal Foundation will help support the media company’s world-wide conversation around lion conservation. All of which sounds like a pretty good reason to get Archie a babysitter for the night.</p>

<p><a href="https://rmsothebys.com/" target="_blank">RM Sotheby's</a>, the automobile auction house, will be hosting a special sale in Monterey, California, on August 15, featuring more than 30 rare Aston Martin sports cars. Leading the night: a very special 1965 Aston Martin DB5 — one of just three surviving cars commissioned by the producers of “Goldfinger,” fully decked out to MI6 “Q-Branch” specifications.</p><p>Its most famous owner? Bond. <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/james-bond-museum-mountaintop" target="_blank">James Bond</a>.</p><img alt="James Bond car "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1560874753/james-bond-aston-martin-BONDCAR0619.jpg?itok=4Vm0-U8q"><p>“No other car in history has played a more important leading role on film and in pop culture,” said Barney Ruprecht, RM Sotheby's car specialist, in a statement. “This is an unbelievably rare chance to play secret agent in a car that offers incredible performance and style in its own right.”</p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7DZZX4q8Ruc" width="560"></iframe></p><p>The car features 13 special modifications, designed by legendary special effects artist John Stears: adjustable bulletproof screens, Browning .30 caliber machine guns hidden in the fenders, tire-slashers mounted on the hubcaps (as seen in the chase scene through <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/swiss-mountain-village-escapes" target="_blank">Switzerland</a>'s Furka Pass), smoke screen dispensers, caltrop launchers, revolving license plates, an ejection seat, and more.</p><img alt="James Bond car "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1560874753/james-bond-aston-martin-interior-BONDCAR0619.jpg?itok=36TE4SB3"><p>This particular model was never used in the 1964 film — there were two other, identical cars on set, one for stunts and chases, the other for close-ups of cool gadgetry — but it did appear alongside Sean Connery and crew during the promotional tour for “Thunderball,” released the following year. After the tour wrapped, the cars were sold.</p><p>The car on auction eventually found its way to the <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/train-ride-through-smoky-mountains" target="_blank">Smoky Mountain</a> Car Museum, in Tennessee, where it was protected in its original condition for 35 years. After its sale in 2006, the owner undertook a massive restoration — spearheaded by Swiss Aston Martin specialists Roos Engineering — which refurbished the car to its original state and restored function to all the Bond modifications.</p><img alt="James Bond car "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1560874753/james-bond-aston-martin-controls-BONDCAR0619.jpg?itok=mroD8Gfe"><p>Take it from Bond himself: “These DB5s are amazing,” said Connery, in an interview with RM Sotheby's. “In fact, I bought a very fine DB5 myself relatively recently.”</p><p>The car is estimated to sell for $4,000,000 to $6,000,000. For more information, visit <a href="https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mo19">rmsothebys.com</a>.</p>

<p>Travelers looking to experience what it’s like to fly over one of the <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/worlds-best/airports-international" target="_blank">world’s best airports</a> can now do so straight from the comfort of their room at the <a href="https://www.tokyuhotelsjapan.com/global/haneda-e/" target="_blank">Haneda Excel Hotel Tokyu</a>.</p><p>Drawing inspiration from its location near <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/video-haneda-airport-timelapse" target="_blank">Haneda (Tokyo International) Airport</a>, the hotel is opening a room that comes with its own flight simulator to provide guests with sweeping views as they embark on flights over the facility to Osaka's Itami Airport. </p><p>Guests will be able to experience flights over the airport and its surroundings in a simulator based on a Boeing 737-800, with the hotel offering the new feature in its Superior Cockpit Room starting on July 18.</p><p>With the simulator, guests can experience whisking through the skies for 90 minutes before returning back to the airport, getting to enjoy views over the space both during the daytime and in the evening.</p><p>An instructor will guide guests through the flight experience, while features like the ability to tilt the landscape using a control stick allow guests to truly feel like they’re maneuvering the aircraft. </p><img alt="Haneda Excel Hotel Tokyu "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1562944823/haneda-excel-hotel-tokyu-flight-simulator-FLIGHTSIM0719.jpg?itok=zs-G5FfB"><p>The experience costs 30,000 yen (about $278) and comes separately from a stay in the room, which starts at an additional 23,300 yen (about $216). </p><p>The hotel’s close location to the Haneda Airport also gives guests a chance to engage in aviation-based experiences at locations like its <a href="http://www.haneda-airport.jp/inter/en/premises/service/others.html" target="_blank">24-hour observation deck</a> or at <a href="http://www.haneda-airport.jp/inter/en/premises/service/others.html" target="_blank">Tiat Sky Road</a>, which hosts four different flight simulators and panels and model planes from various airlines.</p><img alt="Haneda Excel Hotel Tokyu "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1562944823/haneda-excel-hotel-tokyu-exterior-FLIGHTSIM0719.jpg?itok=cO4ikXb7"><p>The airport also hosts a range of amenities that provide for an entertaining layover, from the <a href="http://www.haneda-airport.jp/inter/en/premises/tenant/5200100050750000/index.html" target="_blank">Starry Cafe planetarium</a> where passengers can gaze at millions of stars, to traditional sushi, ramen, and tonkatsu offerings at the <a href="http://www.haneda-airport.jp/inter/en/premises/tenant/s000000_0107.html" target="_blank">Edo Marketplace</a>.</p>

<p>As someone who only travels with <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/best-carry-on-luggage" target="_blank">a carry-on bag</a> no matter how long the trip is, I’ve quickly learned which pieces are necessary to pack and which ones can easily be left behind. While that extra pair of shoes almost never makes the cut into my suitcase, there is one item that I always make sure I bring with me — a portable charger. </p><p>This handy gadget may not be something you think of when you start your packing list but trust me, it is a lifesaver. Whether I’m <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/blogs/How-to-Survive-a-Flight-Delay" target="_blank">stuck at the airport with a long flight delay</a> or using Google Maps to explore a new city, I no longer have to worry about my phone battery dying on me when I need it most. </p><p><strong>RELATED:</strong> <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/style/travel-accessories/best-portable-chargers">10 Portable Chargers to Keep You Powered While Traveling</a></p><p>Like most high-tech devices, portable chargers can range on the pricier side, which is why I was so excited to see that this <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Portable-10000mAh-High-Speed-Rechargeable-TL-PB10000/dp/B07NZ4SM76/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlprimeday2019portablechargerrcarhart0719-20&amp;linkId=80259282cec0bde012c1ef25e5fdb052&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">top-rated option from TP-Link is currently 50 percent off</a> for Amazon Prime Day. That’s right, you can snag this must-have item for only $15 right now. </p><p>Besides being super lightweight and small enough to fit in your pocket, <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/best-travel-accessories" target="_blank">this travel essential</a> also has the capability to charge multiple devices at once — which means you can keep all your electronics juiced up while you’re on the go. It even boasts pass-through charging, so you can charge the gadget and any connected devices at the same time. Talk about a multi-tasking product! </p><p>More than 330 Amazon customers have given it their seal of approval and an impressive 4.2-star rating to boot, so we don’t anticipate it staying in stock long. You’ll have to act fast if you want to score this portable charger at such a steep discount.</p><img alt="TP-Link Portable Charger Sale "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1563208794/tp-link-portable-charger-sale.jpg?itok=i3CLAEH_"><p>To buy: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Portable-10000mAh-High-Speed-Rechargeable-TL-PB10000/dp/B07NZ4SM76/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=tlprimeday2019portablechargerrcarhart0719-20&amp;linkId=80259282cec0bde012c1ef25e5fdb052&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">amazon.com</a>, $15 (originally $30)</p>

<p>Guests to <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/drinking-around-the-world-epcot" target="_blank">Disney World’s Epcot park </a>have been on high alert after learning that a case of rabies was confirmed in the park's area last week. </p><p>Florida Department of Health in Orange County issued a 60-day rabies alert for the area on Tuesday after a nearby feral cat tested positive for the disease, <a href="https://www.miamiherald.com/living/travel/article232442747.html" target="_blank">according to <em>Miami Herald</em></a>.</p><p>The alert is for a two-mile radius around the intersection of Interstate 4 and Epcot Center Drive. This area includes several resort hotels and Disney’s Epcot and Hollywood Studios.</p><p><a href="https://www.newsweek.com/florida-animals-disneys-epcot-abies-health-authorities-feral-rabid-cat-1448434" target="_blank">A spokesperson for the Department of Health told <em>Newsweek</em></a> that two Disney cast members came in contact with the rabid cat. Both employees have since returned to work.</p><p>“Contact with feral cats, stray dogs and all wildlife particularly raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes should be avoided,” <a href="http://orange.floridahealth.gov/newsroom/2019/07/rabies-alert.html" target="_blank">the Department of Health said in a statement.</a> “The public is asked to maintain a heightened awareness that rabies is active in this area of southwest Orange County.”</p><p>Rabies is spread through saliva and humans can contract the disease through a bite wound or scratch. Initial symptoms — including weakness, fever and dizziness — may be mistaken for the flu.</p><p>If you come in contact with an animal in the area, wash the wound with soap and water, seek medical attention and call Orange County Animal Services at 407-254-9150.</p><img alt="Disney World - Rabies Alert "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1562865052/florida-raccoon-disney-epcot-rabies-DISNEYRABIES0719.jpg?itok=EWLQIFWR"><p>The health department also encouraged those with pets to make sure their animals are vaccinated against the disease.</p><p>Rabies is a disease that can turn fatal if left untreated for just seven days. For more information, here's a guide to <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/rabies-vaccine-explained" target="_blank">everything you need to know about the rabies vaccine</a>.</p>

<p>On a vivid day in early March, I am paddling a kayak through a rising tide on the Golfo Dulce, the body of water that runs along the remote Osa Peninsula in southwestern <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-guide/costa-rica" target="_blank">Costa Rica</a>. Before me is the mouth of the Río Platanares. The air is 93 degrees, but the heat is cut by a light breeze. Cicadas whir in surround sound over a gentle chorus of wind-rustled palm fronds and small waves. An osprey sails overhead, then a blue heron, then a pair of white herons.</p><p>I'm with a group of fellow passengers from the <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/cruises/windstar-cruises-wind-star" target="_blank">Wind Star, a four-masted sailing yacht owned and operated by Windstar Cruises</a>. We enter the Platanares, which soon narrows until it is hardly wider than my paddle, forcing us into a single-file line. Everyone falls silent as we glide beneath the delicious shade of the mangrove canopy. Here and there, I'm forced to duck under a low-hanging tendril.</p><img alt="Wind Star Cruise in Panama and Costa Rica "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1562876231/mangroves-rio-platanares-costa-rica-WINDSTAR0719.jpg?itok=ep3oTMm1"><p>Like a lot of people who go on cruises, I had come on this one because I needed a break. Work had been harrowing, and I hadn't been on a vacation in more than two years. I yearned for the sort of spiritual replenishment only genuine adventure can provide—and that's what Windstar's 10-day itinerary promised. The route runs through the Panama Canal and up the Pacific coast of Panama and Costa Rica, with stops in ports of call I'd never heard of: Golfito, Puerto Jiménez, Bahía Drake, Quepos, Bahía Herradura. It's a style of cruise that has been on the rise, as more passengers seek active, boundary-pushing experiences and see ships as a means to access remote places.</p><p>As we move along the Río Platanares, I drift to the rear of the pack, resting my paddle across my boat until the others are out of sight. I just sit and float, absorbing the immensity of the quiet. A white ibis stands on stiltlike legs. A mangrove hummingbird scoots along the river's surface. The exposed roots of the mangrove trees are kinked and curled above the waterline like bony limbs stuck in the mud. Beams of sunlight cut through their branches.</p><p>I catch up with the group just as Diego Vasquez, our naturalist-guide, spots a low-flying camelback hawk. He explains the role every animal plays in the ecosystem, from the mangrove crabs to the raccoons that eat them. Karen Birnbaum, a Brooklynite living in Toronto, keeps whispering, "Oh my God. This is unbelievable." Diego asks, "How do you like my office?"</p><p>We stop during the return paddle to pull our kayaks through the shallows and onto the riverbank. Over a small hill is a stretch of pristine beach with a view of what Diego tells us are Pavones Bay and the green hills of Zancudo. I take a long swim. As I towel off, Diego hands me wedges of fresh pineapple on top of a big slice of pineapple skin. I eat the sweet fruit and then squeeze the nectar from the pulpy skin until juice runs down my chin.</p><img alt="Wind Star Cruise in Panama and Costa Rica "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1562876231/pineapple-snowcones-WINDSTAR0719.jpg?itok=swF2qI4c"><p>If you were asked to imagine the perfect vessel for venturing into unexplored pockets of the world, the Wind Star is precisely the sort of ship you'd come up with. A slick, gleaming-white, 440-foot yacht, it can carry 148 guests and 101 crew. With all four sails unfurled and the push of prevailing winds, it can barrel along at 14 knots. The captain is named Belinda Bennett, and she is the first black woman ever to captain a cruise ship. Captain Bennett grew up on St. Helena, a tiny island in the South Atlantic. St. Helena is the place on earth that is furthest from any other place on earth. At 17, Bennett took her first job, on a supply ship, the RMS St. Helena. Then she worked on a yacht off the shores of Monaco. Then for a ferry company servicing the Isle of Man. "I had goals in life, which I've succeeded at, and I'm a very strong woman," she says. "Being a woman, you have to work extra hard to prove yourself—even more than a man. I'm driven. I wanted to be captain, and so I am."</p><img alt="Wind Star Cruise in Panama and Costa Rica "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1562876231/captain-berlinda-bennett-WINDSTAR0719.jpg?itok=8VoUIW6m"><p>Our itinerary begins in <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/panama-city-long-layover-guide" target="_blank">Panama City</a>. I eavesdrop as passengers introduce themselves. They are from Denver and London and Brooklyn and Carlsbad, California. Many are retirees. Many are seasoned cruisers. One couple from Canada had been on 20 Windstar cruises before this one. Several guests describe the Panama Canal as a bucket-list item.</p><p>We jump aboard tour buses and drive from the Pacific coast to the Caribbean port of Colón, at the northern entrance of the canal. The Panama Canal is the country's economic heart, but Colón is a stunning shambles—caved-in apartment buildings, dusty streets, stray dogs. What we are seeing, the guide explains frankly, is the result of gang activity and governmental malfeasance.</p><p>On our first day, the Wind Star navigates the canal—one of the Seven Wonders of the Industrial World. I recline in the shade with a James Ellroy book and a steady supply of piña coladas. We pass through a set of massive iron doors into the Gatún Locks, the first of the canal's 12 lock structures. The pocked concrete walls, now more than a century old, are the color of earth. I think about the men who left their homes in the Caribbean and dug the canal with nothing more than picks and shovels. How those men survived malaria and yellow fever, predatory jaguars. At times, as many as 40 died each day.</p><p>Once the ship is inside the locks, they are flooded. The Wind Star rises to 82 feet above sea level. A pair of gleaming locomotive engines pull the ship into Lago Gatún, south of Colón. Created between 1907 and 1913 by the damming of the Chagres River, the massive man-made lake comprises nearly half of the canal's length. During our daylong crossing, I'm delighted by the surreal experience of passing just yards from gargantuan cargo freighters.</p><p>Impressions of the ship: The cabins are compact, about 200 square feet, but smartly laid out and immaculately maintained. The mini-bar situation is tops. (Two words: sparkling rosé!) The food is first-rate; Windstar even has a James Beard Foundation–themed cruise. On a galley tour, I observe plentiful fresh produce, including a mountain of just-chopped onions that I will enjoy that very night in a world-class crock of French onion soup. There's pâté and duck breast and lamb and cuts of fish that come with the skin side crisped just so. Soufflé is frequently a dessert option. The bartenders are skilled and game to mix anything from a Papa Doble to a Negroni Sbagliato. There's a spa where I get a 90-minute deep-tissue treatment during which the masseuse rolls out my muscles with a length of hot bamboo. There's a freshwater pool that I find underwhelming, but it doesn't matter since I'm out in the ocean every day. Each afternoon in the lounge there's a full schedule of presentations on such topics as Costa Rican folkloric dancing, pearl formation, gemology, and mixology. Before we arrive in each port, Karla Taylor, a staff naturalist, provides a detailed briefing on the animals we might see during our nature excursion.</p><p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/continental-divide" target="_blank">Trekking Around Panama</a></p><p>After we've traversed the canal, there's an unexpected wrinkle: 50-mile-an-hour offshore winds force us to cancel a stop on Panama's beautiful, rain-forest-covered Isla Parida. So I spend a day exploring the cathedrals and open-air craft markets of Panama City's Casco Viejo. Old apartment buildings with ornate balconies crowd the narrow streets, as in old European cities. Spring blooms are everywhere. A cabdriver tells me that Panamanians eat iguana. "Yeah, man," he says. "We call it chicken of the tree." I have my first good laugh in a long time. At golden hour I find myself on a promenade overlooking Panama Bay. I snap a photo of the families swimming together.</p><img alt="Wind Star Cruise in Panama and Costa Rica "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1562876231/casco-viejo-panama-bahia-herradura-WINDSTAR0719.jpg?itok=vFGK-6M5"><p>I'd heard that Panama City was hosting a pretty big Carnival celebration, so the next day I check it out with Gabi Herman, the photographer who traveled with me. The day is hot and the area cordoned off for the celebration is shadeless. On a big stage, women in headdresses dance in unison. The crowd follows their lead. Men perched above the dancers spray water down into the crowd. Gabi and I drink cold, strong beer and walk around for hours, peoplewatching, marveling at the fashion on display in the crowd, the thousands of kids decked out for the party.</p><p>The MVP of the Wind Star is Miss Kristi, the destination manager. Each evening over early cocktails, I sit rapt as she introduces the area where we'll be anchoring the next morning. She doesn't turn away from Central America's colonial history or hard truths, like labor struggles on the banana plantations. She tells us everything we need to know about the population, the wildlife, the culture, where to find a taxi if you just want to go check out the town, which beach bars have the best ceviche.</p><p>The options for shore excursions are plentiful. You can check out a coca farm or ride an air-tram through Soberanía National Park. Also on the menu are a rum tasting, a monkey-watching excursion, and many marine explorations, including a dolphin watch and a snorkeling adventure around Caño Island near Bahía Drake, whose waters are inhabited by triggerfish, sea turtles, trumpet fish, damselfish, and rays. While in Panama City, you can visit the Miraflores Locks or a 600-year-old Embra Indian Village, where the inhabitants still live much as they did before Spanish colonization.</p><img alt="Wind Star Cruise in Panama and Costa Rica "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1562876231/bahia-drake-horseback-riding-WINDSTAR0719.jpg?itok=Q2EgfWKb"><p>And there are experiences you never could have planned for. The day after our kayaking adventure, with the Wind Star anchored in Bahía Drake, a local tour operator picks us up in a 12-person motorboat. We're speeding along when the captain makes an abrupt detour. He has spotted a spout of mist. Moments later we pull up to a pair of humpbacks: a mother and child. We learn about their migration patterns, but all I can focus on is being so close to such immense creatures while in such a small boat.</p><p>That afternoon, I hang out at the pool bar, drinking Aperol Spritzes in the sun. Karen, the Brooklynite living in Toronto, is playing backgammon with her husband, Bill. She tells me that when they were teenagers, they had a few "passionate" (her word) summers of camp romance, but lost touch. They both got married and had kids and got divorced. Then, almost a decade ago, she appeared in one of his dreams. The next day, he tracked her down in New York. A few months later, he flew to New York to have lunch with her. A few years after that, she moved to Toronto and they got hitched. They're celebrating their sixth anniversary.</p><p><strong>Related</strong>: <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/cruises/around-the-world-cruises" target="_blank">10 Around-the-world Cruises for the Trip of a Lifetime</a></p><p>At palm-shaded Playa Colorada, we mount horses and ride along the bay. We see a pair of scarlet macaws. We pass sunbathers soaking in a shallow tide pool before turning off the beach and into a meadow of wildflowers. Suddenly, the terrain turns treacherous. My horse, a temperamental lad named Mémo, fights his way up the steep hillside. Mémo's footing seems tenuous. My heart races until we turn onto a level trail that hugs the side of the hill.</p><p>The day is idyllic, breezy and clear. Big red butterflies and bright green dragonflies flutter across the trail. We enter Punta Río Claro National Wildlife Refuge. In the forest's shade it feels 10 degrees cooler. Monkeys jump in the trees overhead. The group pushes along slowly, listening.</p><p>The next day, with the Wind Star anchored in Quepos, we take a bus to the Titi Canopy Tour, near the entrance of Manuel Antonio National Park, for a high-velocity zipline tour of the forest. I climb onto a platform where I put on a helmet and leather gloves and a heavy-duty waist harness. The morning is cool. The forest is just waking up, the birds starting to sing. I clip onto the overhead cable, recline, and cannonball through the Day-Glo green canopy, 200 feet off the ground. Each leg of the circuit is a quarter of a mile long and fast enough to make me laugh out loud.</p><img alt="Wind Star Cruise in Panama and Costa Rica "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1562876231/panama-canal-titi-canopy-WINDSTAR0719.jpg?itok=o9PuYFCZ"><p>I get to talking with a guide in his late twenties named Libé, who has clear eyes and sandy hair. Libé is short for libélula, the Spanish word for dragonfly. He points to the mountains and tells me they are known as the Sons of Saints. All the little towns up there are named after saints—Marcos, Francisco. Libé tells me that he and his wife have a baby and that he has another daughter, who lives with an ex, and that he's trying to be a good man but it's just way harder than you ever imagine it's going to be. One thing he says he does to keep his people close is to bring them into the forest to hike and swim by the waterfalls.</p><p>After the canopy tour, I take a cab to Quepos. I find a hole-in-the-wall restaurant on Manuel Antonio Beach and order the casado—a plate of wahoo fish with rice, beans, green salad, and caramelized plantains. I wash it down with two bottles of frosty Imperial lager. Then I go to the beach and bodysurf in the steep waves of the shore break. It's a Sunday, and the beach is crowded with families of Ticos enjoying their day off, swimming and sunbathing and eating overflowing cups of shaved ice. I fall asleep in the shade of an umbrella.</p><img alt="Wind Star Cruise in Panama and Costa Rica "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1562876231/marisqueria-corcovado-seafood-WINDSTAR0719.jpg?itok=r5C2xY0w"><p>In Bahía Herradura, a little bay halfway up the Costa Rican coast, a group of us goes off-roading in fast, four-seat Honda buggies. The objective is to speed over every bump and plow through every mud puddle and stream. Our little convoy kicks up a wicked dust storm as we fly over a dried-up riverbed. I wind up filthy and soaked, my hair coated in gray dust, my clothing brown. I feel great.</p><p>That afternoon I unwind at a little beach bar a few hundred yards from where the Wind Star's Zodiacs drop off and pick up passengers. I savor a big plate of ceviche. It's spicy and sweet, with pieces of mango and strawberry. I have a lemonade blended with mint, basil, and ice. The sun is sinking. The horizon is the color of rose. I'm just overflowing with good feelings. I have to run to catch the last tender back to the ship.</p>

<p>I recently went on a trip to <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-guide/los-angeles" target="_blank">Los Angeles</a> with a friend, and after just one day and night together my voice was starting to give out. We were talking constantly: in the car ride on the way there, as we walked around the <a href="http://www.getty.edu/" target="_blank">Getty Museum</a>, as we went out to dinner and drinks, as we went for a run together the next morning.</p><p>It was a wonderful experience to take in a new place with a friend and get to know her more by spending so much time together, but as I’m a pretty classic introvert, by the end I was ready for some alone time.</p><p>Travel is often thought of as a pretty social activity. Most people travel with friends, family or <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/romantic-getaways" target="_blank">romantic partners</a> to spend more time together and have time away from work, school, and home.</p><p>Even if you are <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/solo-travel" target="_blank">traveling alone</a>, there can be a lot of socializing when you travel. From the plane rides with chatty seatmates to crowded hostels and busy streets, restaurants and nightlife. It's easy to never really feel alone.</p><p>But there are also great travel destinations that are perfect for introverts, where you can maybe have some social time <em>and then</em> some precious alone time where it’s quiet and less crowded to give you time to really recharge on your own.</p><h2>Siskiyou in Northern California</h2><img alt="Siskiyou, California "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1558452132/siskiyou-northern-california-INTROTRIPS0519.jpg?itok=yDngY7S2"><p><a href="https://discoversiskiyou.com/" target="_blank">Siskiyou</a>, part of the northernmost region of California, is perfect for introverts who want to spend some alone time in nature. It has 50 rivers, 270 lakes, lava caves and waterfalls, plus Mt. Shasta. The mountain is known as a “spiritual vortex,” meaning a place that is <a href="https://www.npr.org/2015/06/07/412098380/a-mountain-of-many-legends-draws-spiritual-seekers-from-around-the-globe" target="_blank">known for aligning spiritual properties</a> to create balance and harmony in the body. If you don’t mind a small, but quiet group, you can take a guided meditation tour. Siskiyou isn’t as busy as nearby Lake Tahoe or Yosemite, making it a great quiet spot.</p><h2>New Zealand</h2><img alt="Lake Harwee, New Zealand "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1558452132/lake-harwee-south-island-new-zealand-INTROTRIPS0519.jpg?itok=mCmDnP6Z"><p>The country where sheep outnumber people and is filled with incredible sweeping views was made for folks who enjoy solitude and quiet. Brad Hines, who founded <a href="http://nerdplaythings.com/" target="_blank">NerdPlaythings.com</a> and travels constantly for work and fun, says he favors the south island, which is even quieter. “<a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/butterfield-and-robinson-south-island-new-zealand" target="_blank">New Zealand’s</a> south island is majestic farm land, national parks, and greenery for miles, all on easy to drive and safe and clean roads,” he says. “It's a fantastic place to rent a car and hop from village to village. I stayed in places as remote as Toko Mouth that have a population under 100. Quiet, beautiful, plenty of time to think to yourself.”</p><h2>Treehouse Resorts</h2><img alt="Primland Treehouse Resort "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1558453299/porch-treehouse-resort-INTROTRIPS0519.jpg?itok=QL3wdlVw"><p>More and more resorts and hotels are offering tree houses as part of their accommodation options. And there really could be nothing better for introverts; You can rest and have quiet time up in the trees, with beautiful views and no one to bother you. Check out the tree houses at <a href="https://primland.com/stay/tree-houses/" target="_blank">Primland</a>, a resort in Meadows of Dan, Virginia. They are tucked away from the property’s main lodge, instead sitting on the edge of the mountains. Each cabin is built around the solid branches of the tree tops, making for amazing views of nature from a private deck, plus spectacular stargazing.</p><h2>Brooklyn, New York</h2><img alt="Prospect Park, Brooklyn "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1558452132/prospect-park-brooklyn-ny-INTROTRIPS0519.jpg?itok=dlUlqvdq"><p>Yes, it sounds crazy to suggest anywhere in <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-guide/new-york-city" target="_blank">New York City</a> for people who want to be alone, but as travel writer <a href="https://www.rollerbaggoddess.com/travel-blog/" target="_blank">Charish Badzinski</a> points out, being an introvert means not wanting isolation, but instead wanting meaningul connections with people. “There is so much to see, and everyone is too busy to engage in meaningless small talk,” she says. “I never felt more comfortably alone than I did when in New York.” Badzinksi recommends staying in Brooklyn to avoid the crowds and tourists, where you can check out quiet places like the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, Prospect Park and Cobble Hill.</p><h2>Hundred Mile Wilderness, Maine</h2><img alt="Medawisla, Maine "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1558452132/medawisla-camp-maine-INTROTRIPS0519.jpg?itok=e_r8AgOx"><p>This section of the Appalachian Trail in Maine is generally considered the wildest and most remote part of the trail. You don’t have to hike the whole thing, or even really at all, to enjoy the seclusion and majestic scenery. Try <a href="https://www.outdoors.org/lodging-camping/lodges/medawisla" target="_blank">Medawisla</a>, the Appalachian Mountain Club’s newest wilderness lodge, where you can experience hiking, paddling, fly fishing, canoe camping, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing while staying in either a private cabin or bunkhouse.</p><h2>Kazakhstan</h2><img alt="Altai Mountains "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1558452132/altai-mountains-Kazakhstan-INTROTRIPS0519.jpg?itok=xPCmnbYj"><p>Central Asia, in particular Kazakhstan, is the perfect destination for travel writer and self-described introvert <a href="http://www.Meganstarr.com" target="_blank">Megan Starr</a>. “The landscape is humbling and so large and easy to get away from reality without putting yourself into dangerous or scary situations,” she says. “I often went hiking alone there on trails that were easy, but still trodden by people that I didn't feel like I put myself in dangerous situations.” She says many of the mountains were reachable by public transportation, but still “offered the nature and privacy I needed.” Also, cell phones don’t work, so you get a chance to really disconnect and recharge.</p><h2>Lisbon, Portugal</h2><img alt="Lisbon, Portugal "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1558452132/lisbon-portugal-INTROTRIPS0519.jpg?itok=iFe0-sBI"><p>Wandering in solitude in an interesting city can be perfect for an introvert, and Lisbon offers the peak experience for aimless wandering, says frequent traveler and introvert <a href="https://www.downunderendeavours.com/bios/hannah-lorenz" target="_blank">Hannah Lorenz</a>, who works for travel agencies Down Under Endeavours and Africa Endeavours. “Filled with narrow cobblestone streets, intricately tiled buildings, and elaborate street art, you can literally walk around all day exploring intriguing little alleyways and ducking into a cafe for some pasteis de nata or a coffee when you feel like it,” she says. “Public squares overlooking the water are perfect for people watching. At night, the nightlife spills out into the streets with people hopping from bar to bar and taking their drinks outside — the vibe is very relaxed and friendly.”</p><h2>Yoga Retreats</h2><img alt="Prana Del Mar Yoga "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1558452132/yoga-studio-prana-del-mar-retreat-INTROTRIPS0519.jpg?itok=Ff47Fkin"><p>While fitness and health retreats involve group interaction, yoga retreats are an exception because there is so much focus on individual practice and quiet time. And then the social time often involves more meaningful conversations, less chitchat, which is perfect for introverts. Try out <a href="http://www.pranadelmar.com" target="_blank">Prana del Mar Retreat &amp; Wellness Center</a> in Baja, Mexico, which sits between the Pacific Ocean and the Sierra de la Laguna mountains. The retreats last about a week in luxurious accommodations, and come with meals and outings including watching a baby sea turtle release, surf lessons, or sea kayaking.</p><h2>Bali, Indonesia</h2><img alt="Bali, Indonesia "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1558452132/bali-indonesia-INTROTRIPS0519.jpg?itok=FTbRAoly"><p><a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-guide/bali" target="_blank">Bali</a> is the perfect escape for beach-lovers or yogis. Padang has quiet and spacious streets and locals who are “friendly and not in your face, allowing you to escape from people without much effort,” says Chizoba Anyaoha, founder of travel company <a href="http://www.travsolo.com/" target="_blank">TravSolo</a>. “Believe or not but you can find a quiet spot on the beach to catch the sunset, especially around evening time at either Padang Padang Beach and Suluban Beach,” Anyaoha adds. Or, try Ubud, which has private one hour yoga and meditation lessons.</p><h2>Japan</h2><img alt="Kyoto, Japan "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1558452132/kyoto-japan-INTROTRIPS0519.jpg?itok=7_-r-mN1"><p>While the capital <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-guide/tokyo" target="_blank">Tokyo</a> is bustling and can be overwhelming, the culture of <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/destination-of-the-year" target="_blank">Japan</a> is quiet and respectful — even when it’s busy. “The trains are always quiet, even when super packed,” says Anyaoha. “Here you don't have to worry about someone starting any kind of conversation or small talk with you. The locals are pros at keeping to themselves, as it is a sign of humility in the culture.” Check out cities such as Kyoto or Yokohama for an even quieter feel.</p><h2>Vienna, Austria</h2><img alt="Vienna, Austria "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1558452132/vienna-austria-INTROTRIPS0519.jpg?itok=0n8ttQUe"><p>Alex Schnee, a travel writer at <a href="http://www.thewayfaringvoyager.com/" target="_blank">The Wayfaring Voyager</a>, calls herself “a certified introvert” and highly recommends this European city. “Vienna is undeniably peaceful, and you are unlikely to be hassled by hawkers and strangers,” he says. “Austrians are friendly, but do not intrude on personal space, and everyone is given room to explore on his or her own terms. Along with the stately architecture, you'll find little chaos and the opportunity to sit and enjoy a cafe or beer without having to engage with a loud-spoken society.”</p><h2>Seoul</h2><img alt="Seoul, Korea "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1558452132/seoul-korea-INTROTRIPS0519.jpg?itok=Fbw6tCo1"><p>Many Asian cities are very loud and bustling, but according to Schnee, Seoul is an exception. “I found Seoul to offer a blend of modernity and nature,” she says. “Within a 40-minute bus ride, you can retreat from downtown to foliage-filled national parks. You can take a weekend to meditate at a temple stay, or hike through the colorful spring and fall leaves. Even in the city, the clean and orderly transportation system makes it simple to get around.”</p><h2>Oslo, Norway</h2><img alt="Oslo, Norway "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1558452132/oslo-norway-INTROTRIPS0519.jpg?itok=QZXHBlEX"><p>This northern city has lots of history, parks and museums to explore, all in calm and quiet settings. “Oslo is an incredibly safe city with lots to do for an introvert,” says Schnee. “While citizens speak excellent English, you won't be bothered by random people. Fans of architecture will love the modern designs mixed in with imperial buildings.”</p><h2>The Lake District, England</h2><img alt="Lake District, UK "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1558452132/lake-district-uk-INTROTRIPS0519.jpg?itok=yY5jiexo"><p>In “Pride and Prejudice,” Elizabeth Bennett first plans to tour the Lake District with her aunt and uncle, but then changes destinations to a different area, which includes Mr. Darcy’s estate. While the detour works out well for her, she did miss out on a beautiful getaway. The Lake District is perfect for those who want to get away from the crowds and enjoy solitude, says travel writer <a href="http://www.laurenstraveldiary.com" target="_blank">Lauren Pears</a>. “There are many hills and trails to hike, lots of remote lodges to stay in, and lots of English pubs where you can order some good food and just be,” she says. “Relax with a good book by the pebble shoreline, wander the circumference of the lakes, or perhaps even watch a show at the theatre by Derwent Water.”</p><h2>Toronto, Canada</h2><img alt="Toronto, Canada "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1558452132/toronto-canada-INTROTRIPS0519.jpg?itok=O-DHE0Ba"><p>One of Canada’s biggest cities, <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-guide/toronto" target="_blank">Toronto</a> is known as a city of neighborhoods, so it can be broken down into less overwhelming pieces. Tour just a neighborhood a day and take in the range of cultures and foods in the city. More than 50 percent of its population was born outside of Canada and 230 different nationalities are represented.</p><h2>Fondalez, Andalusia</h2><img alt="Fondales, Andalusia "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1558452132/fondales-andalusia-INTROTRIPS0519.jpg?itok=_0VnG63n"><p>This small rural town has a population of about 20 humans and two cats. “On the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada overlooking the Mediterranean Sea lives a clutch of mountain villages together known as Las Alpujarras, and Fondalez is one of the quietest villages here,” says travel writer <a href="https://radicallyeverafter.com" target="_blank">Namita Kulkarni</a>. “The kind that makes you want to sell everything and move, if you have a taste for the uncrowded life. As an introvert here, you'd spend your days surrounded by rarified air, tangles of mountain trails, stray cats sunning themselves all day, a laidback sense of time and the freshest spring water that keeps you coming back for refills. A way of life where the days are savored rather than rushed into a blur.”</p><h2>Iceland</h2><img alt="Reykjavik, Iceland "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1558452132/reykjavik-iceland-INTROTRIPS0519.jpg?itok=Ipi5cCM-"><p>Lifelong introvert and travel blogger at the site <a href="https://www.nomadbytrade.com" target="_blank">Nomad by Trade</a>, Kris Morton says Iceland is the perfect destination for introverts like him. “If you can skip the bus tours departing from Reykjavik and rent your own car, a road trip around the Ring Road will take you through some of the most spectacular scenery you can imagine while also giving you breaks away from people to recharge,” he says. “Iceland has an incredibly low crime rate, so if you're looking at solo travel and nervous about it, it's a great place to start.”</p>

<p>One of the longest stretches of coastal cliffs in the world separates Australia from the turquoise waters of the Great Australian Bight. Here, along the country’s southern edge, is where you’ll find the “Galápagos of Australia,” home to more unique species than in all the Great Barrier Reef.</p><p>It’s a haven for endangered creatures like southern bluefin tuna and Australian sea lions, who play and feast in the surf and can’t be found anywhere else in the world. Southern right whales (named for being the “right” whale to harpoon and once hunted to the brink of extinction) raise their calves along the Great Australian Bight’s wide continental shelf, which at points reaches as far as 200 nautical miles out to sea.</p><p>The same waters support a $440-million aquaculture and fishing industry — not even half of what it earns for tourism. Landside, the great Nullarbor Plain casts its own dramatic spread, a vast flatness marked by the occasional tree and not much else, making the 300-foot sea cliffs that characterize this part of Australia all the more impressive by contrast.</p><p>The Great Australian Bight is one of Earth’s most fascinating, treasured regions — why, then, is it embroiled in controversy? Read on to find out.</p><h2>The Great Australian Bight</h2><img alt="Great Australian Bight "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1559075388/bunda-cliffs-great-australian-bight-AUSBIGHT0519.jpg?itok=6pNqWmuR"><p>A bight is simply a long and gradual coastal curve that creates a large bay, often with shallow waters. You’re likely already familiar with a number of bights — for instance, the area between Long Island and New Jersey on the East Coast is known as the New York Bight, while California’s Channel Islands live in the Southern California Bight, which stretches all the way from Santa Barbara to San Diego.</p><p>The Great Australian Bight, however, is one of the largest examples in the world, hence its name. It was formed some 65 million years ago at the end of the Cretaceous Period, when the continent separated from Antarctica and began its slow drift north.</p><p>While the exact area of the Great Australian Bight is up for debate, the most widely accepted definition plots its coast from the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia to Cape Pasley in Western Australia, about 720 miles as the crow flies and encompassing more than 28,000 square miles in the marine park alone.</p><h2>What to Do</h2><p>The Great Australian Bight is known for having what may just be the best whale watching in the world — even from land. In the far west corner of South Australia, there’s a viewing platform atop the famed Bunda Cliffs, which rise 300 feet above the sea. From here, at the <a href="http://headofbight.com.au/" target="_blank">Head of Bight</a>, you can see as many as a hundred whales at once between July and August, though you’re guaranteed to see a whale anytime during the season, June through September. There are Great Australian Bight whale watching tours as well, but <a href="http://www.epcruises.com.au/" target="_blank">EP Cruises</a> is the only operator licensed to take kayakers out among the pods.</p><p>But it isn’t all craggy sea cliffs. Great Australian Bight beaches are some of Australia’s best. Most are toward the eastern end of the Bight, where the Nullarbor cliffs give way to more accessible sand. While Baird Bay on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia attracts families, while Venus Bay just to the south is prime for snorkeling in calm waters and watching dolphins. Save the fishing for nearby Mount Camel beach, where you can cast into schools of salmon from the beach. A few hours northwest, Cactus Beach gives experienced rippers a chance to get in some Great Australian Bight surfing on three powerful breaks — Cactus, Castles, and Caves — but check conditions before paddling out, as rip currents can be dangerously strong.</p><h2>Controversy in the Great Australian Bight</h2><p>It’s not only marine life that’s attracted to the Great Australian Bight — oil companies like Norway’s Equinor (formerly Statoil) have set their sights on what’s been called one of the last <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/24/world/australia/australia-drilling-the-bight.html?module=inline" target="_blank">natural gas reserves</a> in the world. Predictably, drilling for oil in the Bight is extremely controversial, though Australia has a long history of <a href="http://fortune.com/longform/perth-australia/" target="_blank">extracting natural resources from the land</a>. Proponents claim that allowing drilling in the Great Australian Bight has the potential to bring lasting jobs and wealth to the area. Opponents worry that a spill — which would decimate the Bight’s veritable Eden and jeopardize the $1.6-billion tourism and fishing industries — is inevitable.</p><p>Of the 11 exploration permits granted by the Australian government since 2011, two have been awarded to Equinor, which released an environmental impact report in early 2019 that showed <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/29/world/australia/surfers-drilling-bight.html" target="_blank">a major oil spill could affect thousands of miles</a> of the Great Australian Bight’s coast. In response, surfers gathered at in Sydney at Bondi Beach to stage a peaceful protest in the form of a massive paddle out, a ceremony typically reserved for memorials. Other critics argue that the proposal in general takes too many chances — something that wouldn’t be allowed in Norwegian waters. <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Deepwater-Horizon-oil-spill" target="_blank">BP</a> was also awarded an exploration permit. However, the English company pulled out in 2016 after projecting mass environmental damage in the case of an accident, in part because the Bight’s waters are so remote that it would take more than a month to stop the flow of oil. Equinor had originally planned to begin drilling by the end of 2019 — whether that will happen remains to be seen.</p>